Home / Quotes / Quote by Frances Mayes

Quote by Frances Mayes

“The Italians have their priorities right: They're driven, they do their work, but they really enjoy the day-to-day and they don't put off the enjoyment of the everyday for some future goal.”

Quote by Frances Mayes

Author

Frances Mayes is an American poet born on April 4, 1940. Her poetry is known for its profound emotion and unique style, which has won her a wide audience. more

You May Also Like

“The longer you are in a place, the more you get under its layers.”

Author:Frances Mayes

“It's kind of amazing that people will travel because of a book. I admire that.”

People Kind Book Admire

Author:Frances Mayes

“When I was twelve, I started reading Eudora Welty, Thomas Wolfe, Flannery O'Connor, James Agee, and - do we dare breathe the name - William Faulkner.”

Reading Names Dare Breathe Twelve

Author:Frances Mayes

“Going to Europe as a budding cook opened my eyes to food in a different way. When I got to Italy, the first thing I did was put my little basil plants in the ground and watch them turn into big, healthy bushes.”

Way Firsts Littles Different Bigs Eye Turns Watches Healthy Europe Plant Cooks Different Ways Basil

Author:Frances Mayes

“I'm just fascinated by houses. In another life, I'd have probably trained as an architect. If I had enough money, I'd collect them like other people collect teapots. I don't know why I love them so much. I'm just very interested in the idea of a house as a metaphor for the way one lives.”

People Ifs Knows Way Ideas Enough House Metaphor Fascinated Architect Had Enough Another Life Teapots

Author:Frances Mayes

“What has impressed me the most about the Italians whose tables we've sat at is that they are traditional cooks but also outrageously innovative. These people are wild improvisers.”

People Tables Traditional Cooks Sat Impressed Innovative

Author:Frances Mayes

“I find that other countries have this or this, but Italy is the only one that has it all for me. The culture, the cuisine, the people, the landscape, the history. Just everything to me comes together there.”

People Country Together Culture Landscape Other Countries Cuisine

Author:Frances Mayes

“I got the idea that to write books would be the best way to spend a life. I never thought of anything else that seemed like half as much fun, although in my next life I would like to be an architect, too, so I can have an easier time restoring houses.”

Way Writing I Can Book Ideas Would Be Next House Fun Half Easier Best Way Being The Best Architect Restoring Next Life Easier Times

Author:Frances Mayes

“I would like The Discovery of Poetry to be a field guide to the natural pleasures of language - a happiness we were born to have.”

Language Born Natural Pleasure Fields Discovery Guides

Author:Frances Mayes

“I was born and grew up in Fitzgerald, way down in south Georgia. It was a mill town and my family ran the cotton mill. My grandfather was mayor many times and my family felt deeply rooted to that spot.”

Way Felt Born Grew Grew Up My Family Towns South Spots Ran Rooted Grandfather My Grandfather Georgia Mayors Cotton Mills

Author:Frances Mayes