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John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck Quotes

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Famous John Steinbeck Quotes

“What good men most biologists are, the tenors of the scientific world - temperamental, moody, lecherous, loud-laughing, and healthy. Your true biologist will sing you a song as loud and off-key as will a blacksmith, for he knows that morals are too often diagnostic of prostatitis and stomach ulcers. Sometimes he may proliferate a little too much in all directions, but he is as easy to kill as any other organism, and meanwhile he is very good company, and at least he does not confuse a low hormone productivity with moral ethics.”

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Author:John Steinbeck
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“I believe there are techniques of the human mind whereby, in its dark deep, problems are examined, rejected or accepted. Such activities sometimes concern facets a man does not know he has. How often one goes to sleep troubled and full of pain, not knowing what causes the travail, and in the morning a whole new direction and a clearness is there, maybe the results of the black reasoning. And again there are mornings when ecstasy bubbles in the blood, and the stomach and chest are tight and electric with joy, and nothing in the thoughts to justify it or cause it.”

KnowsMenMindBelieveHumansDoeSometimesWholeProblemPainJoyI BelieveCausesBlackDarkSleepResultsMorningKnowingBloodActivityConcernTechniqueAcceptedReasoningJustifyHuman MindChestsEcstasyStomachBubblesElectricNot KnowingRejectedFacetsNew DirectionsClearness
Book:East of Eden
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“The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit—for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature.”

MenBelieveHeartDoeWarSpiritLiteratureCompassionGreatnessDespairWeaknessCapacityAnd LoveDefeatEndlessCelebrateFlagsDedicationProvenMembershipEmulationGallantryEndless War
Book:America and Americans and Selected Nonfiction
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“There is more beauty in truth, even if it is a dreadful beauty. The storytellers at the city gate twist life so that it looks sweet to the lazy and the stupid and the weak, and this only strengthens their infirmities and teaches nothing, cures nothing, nor does it let the heart soar.”

IfsLooksHeartDoeCitiesTeachStupidSweetWeakCuresLazyGatesStorytellerSoarTwistsInfirmityEast Of Eden
Book:East of Eden, And, The Wayward Bus
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“For there are two possible reactions to social ostracism - either a man emerges determined to be better, purer, and kindlier or he goes bad, challenges the world and does even worse things. The last is by far the commonest reaction to stigma.”

MenWorldDoeTwoLastsSocialChallengesDeterminedReactionsStigmaOstracismSocial Ostracism
Book:The Short Novels of John Steinbeck: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
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“It is not enough to say that we cannot know or judge because all the information is not in. The process of gathering knowledge does not lead to knowing. A child's world spreads only a little beyond his understanding while that of a great scientist thrusts outward immeasurably. An answer is invariably the parent of a great family of new questions. So we draw worlds and fit them like tracings against the world about us, and crumple them when we find they do not fit and draw new ones.”

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Book:Steinbeck
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“We have never understood why men mount the heads of animals and hang them up to look down on their conquerers. Possibly it feels good to these men to feel superior to animals, but does it not seem that if they were sure of it they would not have to prove it? Often a man who is afraid must constantly demonstrate his courage and, in the case of the hunter, must keep a tangible record of his courage.”

IfsMenFeelsLooksDoeSeemsAnimalCasesCourageRecordsProveUnderstoodSuperiorsFeel GoodHuntingHuntersTangibleProve ItWhy Me
Author:John Steinbeck
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“Sir, this is a unique dog. He does not live by tooth or fang. He respects the right of cats to be cats although he doesn't admire them. He turns his steps rather than disturb an earnest caterpillar. His greatest fear is that someone will point out a rabbit and suggest that he chase it. This is a dog of peace and tranquility.”

DoeHumorTurnsFriendshipStepsDogUniqueCatTeethAdmireLive ByTranquilityEarnestRabbitsFangsCanineCaterpillarsGreatest FearPoodle DogsPeace And Tranquility
Book:Travels with Charley and Later Novels, 1947-1962
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“But whereas a puppy will cringe away or roll on its back, groveling, a little boy may cover his shyness with nonchalance, with bravado, or with secrecy. And once a boy has suffered rejection, he will find rejection even where it does not exist-or, worse, will draw it forth from people simply by expecting it.”

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Book:East of Eden, And, The Wayward Bus
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