If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a secret agent. Thornton Wilder More Quotes by Thornton Wilder More Quotes From Thornton Wilder We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. Thornton Wilder inspiring inspirational life All that we know about those we have loved and lost is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their reality. What is essential does not die but clarifies. The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude. Thornton Wilder gratitude grief reality But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. Thornton Wilder land bridges memories Art is not only the desire to tell one's secret; it is the desire to tell it and hide it at the same time. Thornton Wilder secret desire art I didn't marry you because you were perfect. I didn't even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn't a house that protected them; and it wasn't our love that protected them--it was that promise. Thornton Wilder growing-up marriage children Faith is a never-ending pool of clarity, reaching far beyond the margins of consciousness. We all know more than we know we know. Thornton Wilder clarity pool consciousness If you write to impress it will always be bad, but if you write to express it will be good Thornton Wilder impress be-good writing Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are fools and the rest of us are in great danger of contagion. Thornton Wilder ninety-nine funny people My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate. Thornton Wilder laughter acceptance happiness Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute? Thornton Wilder realize-life realizing earth There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. Thornton Wilder fun love life Life is a fatal adventure. It can only have one end. So why not make it as far-ranging and free as possible. Thornton Wilder why-not life-is adventure [Camila] was quite incapable of establishing any harmony between the claims of her art, of her appetites, or her dreams, and of her crowded daily routine. Each of these was a world in itself. Thornton Wilder routine dream art The stuff of which masterpieces are made drifts about the world waiting to be clothed in words. Thornton Wilder waiting stuff world Every good thing in the world stands on the razor-edge of danger. Thornton Wilder razors good-things world A play visibly represents pure existing. Thornton Wilder pure play Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous. Thornton Wilder hope faith fear EMILY: "Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?" STAGE MANAGER: "No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some. Thornton Wilder realize-life saint doe A dramatist is one who believes that the pure event, an action involving human beings, is more arresting than any comment that can be made upon it. Thornton Wilder events theatre believe There is no need for me to curse you -the murderer survives the victim only to learn that it was himself that he longed to be rid of. Hatred is self-hatred. Thornton Wilder hatred self needs
