Every good thing in the world stands on the razor-edge of danger. Thornton Wilder More Quotes by Thornton Wilder More Quotes From Thornton Wilder I am convinced that, except in a few extraordinary cases, one form or another of an unhappy childhood is essential to the formation of exceptional gifts. Thornton Wilder unhappy-childhoodatheismessentials Some say that we shall never know, and that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer's day, and some say, to the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God. Thornton Wilder sparrowssummerboys When God loves a creature he wants the creature to know the highest happiness and the deepest misery ... He wants him to know all that being alive can bring. That is his best gift.... There is no happiness save in understanding the whole. Thornton Wilder aliveunderstandinghappiness It is very necessary to have markers of beauty left in a world seemingly bent on making the most evil ugliness. Thornton Wilder evilbeautyworld I want you to try and remember what it was like to have been very young. And particularly the days when you were first in love; when you were like a person sleepwalking, and you didn’t quite see the street you were in, and didn’t quite hear everything that was said to you. You’re just a little bit crazy. Will you remember that, please? Thornton Wilder crazywanttrying Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day. Thornton Wilder motivationhopeinspirational the whole purport of literature...is the notation of the heart. Style is but the faintly contemptible vessel in which the bitter liquid is recommended to the world. Thornton Wilder styleliteratureheart When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home. Thornton Wilder homeadventuretravel Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough. Thornton Wilder important-daysimportantenough I not only bow to the inevitable; I am fortified by it. Thornton Wilder hopefearattitude A good writer preserves an air of freedom in his prose, so that the reader won't know how a story will end - even if he's reading a history book. Thornton Wilder readingairbook Without your wounds where would your power be? It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living. In Love’s service, only wounded soldiers can serve. Physician, draw back. Thornton Wilder angelheartchildren Every person who has ever lived has lived an unbroken succession of unique occasions. Thornton Wilder successionunbrokenunique An incinerator is a writer's best friend. Thornton Wilder friendship I have inherited this burden of superstition and nonsense. I govern innumerable men but must acknowledge that I am governed by birds and thunderclaps Thornton Wilder superstitionsbirdmen Many who have spent a lifetime in it can tell us less of love than the child that lost a dog yesterday. Thornton Wilder heartbreakdoglove We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars . . . everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being. -stage manager, in the play OUR TOWN Thornton Wilder starsplayyears All excellence is equally difficult. Thornton Wilder difficultexcellence Nature reserves the right to inflict upon her children the most terrifying jests. Thornton Wilder scarynaturechildren But there comes a time in everybody's life when he must decide whether he'll live among human beings or nota fool among fools or a fool alone. Thornton Wilder foolhumanstime
