The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality. James A. Michener More Quotes by James A. Michener More Quotes From James A. Michener The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both. James A. Michener inspiring inspirational love Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow. James A. Michener procrastination opportunity today Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries. James A. Michener success motivational inspirational If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. James A. Michener inspirational funny travel I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter. James A. Michener crafts excellent writing I was born to a woman I never knew and raised by another who took in orphans. I do not know my background, my lineage, my biological or cultural heritage. But when I meet someone new, I treat them with respect.... For after all, they could be my people. James A. Michener heritage adoption people If your book doesn't keep you up nights when you are writing it, it won't keep anyone up nights reading it. James A. Michener reading writing book An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it. James A. Michener failure ignorance war A nation becomes what its young people read in their youth. Its ideals are fashioned then, its goals strongly determined. James A. Michener determined goal people You have to be eligible for luck to strike, and I think that's a matter of education and preparation, and character and all the other solid attributes that sometimes people laugh at. James A. Michener character people thinking Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them. James A. Michener technology dream science If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life. James A. Michener self-esteem discovery men All I can do is play the game the way the cards fall. James A. Michener acceptance games fall The really great writers are people like Emily Brontë who sit in a room and write out of their limited experience and unlimited imagination. James A. Michener imagination writing people A poet sees things in two ways: First, as a child who never saw it before, and Second, as a dying man who will never see it again. James A. Michener men two children I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. James A. Michener swings emotion writing America is a nation with many flaws, but hopes so vast that only the cowardly would refuse to acknowledge them. James A. Michener usa politics america The job of a storyteller is to tell stories, and I have concentrated on that obligation. James A. Michener stories writing jobs I was once asked if I'd like to meet the president of a certain country. I said, "No, but I'd love to meet some sheepherders." The sheepherders, farmers and taxi drivers are often the most interesting people. James A. Michener country people interesting I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters. James A. Michener want writing world
