John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. (1902-1968) was an American author known for his insightful and powerful novels depicting the lives of ordinary people during the Great Depression. Steinbeck’s works often explored themes of social injustice, the human condition, and the search for identity.
Throughout his career, Steinbeck produced numerous memorable quotes that continue to resonate with readers today. His wise and thought-provoking words offer profound insight into the human experience and serve as a testament to his exceptional storytelling ability.
From his classic novels like “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Of Mice and Men,” to his lesser-known works, Steinbeck’s quotes continue to inspire, challenge, and move readers around the world. In this article, we have compiled some of the best quotes by John Steinbeck, showcasing the depth of his observations and the timeless relevance of his words.
Top Quotes by John Steinbeck
1. “The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.”
2. “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. It might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”
3. “The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”
4. “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”
5. “And the little screaming fact that sounds through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed.”
6. “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”
7. “It has always seemed strange to me… the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism, self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”
8. “Learning to read is probably the most difficult and revolutionary thing that happens to the human brain.
9. “We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it.”
10. “Now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
Inspirational Quotes by John Steinbeck
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
This quote by John Steinbeck reminds us that we don’t have to strive for perfection, but rather focus on being good and doing our best in all that we do.
“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.”
In this quote, Steinbeck compares ideas to rabbits, emphasizing the abundance and growth of ideas when nurtured and cultivated.
“The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”
Steinbeck recognizes the power and importance of individual thought and expression, highlighting the value of independent thinking and exploration.
“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”
This quote by Steinbeck draws a parallel between journeys and marriages, suggesting that one cannot fully control or predict the outcomes, and that embracing uncertainty is key to navigating both.
“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”
Steinbeck acknowledges the power of the subconscious mind in problem-solving and the often surprising clarity that comes after a good night’s sleep.
“I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.”
This thought-provoking quote challenges us to reflect on our interactions with others and consider the possibility that we may not truly see and understand those around us.
“We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it.”
Steinbeck reflects on the human desire for security, while also noting that often once obtained, it can become restrictive and unsatisfying.
“Change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.”
Describing the subtle nature of change, Steinbeck captures its gentle yet transformative impact, highlighting the beauty and significance of even the smallest shifts in our lives.
Meaningful Quotes by John Steinbeck
- “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
- “The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.”
- “It has always seemed strange to me, the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success.”
- “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
- “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
These quotes by John Steinbeck are a testament to his profound understanding of human nature and the complexities of life. Through his words, Steinbeck reminds us of the importance of imperfection, the power of purpose, and the paradoxes of success and failure. He also emphasizes the transformative nature of journeys and the unpredictability of life. These quotes serve as a reminder to embrace the uncertainties and fluctuations of life, and to find meaning and beauty in unexpected places.
Powerful Quotes by John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck, the acclaimed American author, was known for his powerful and thought-provoking writing. His works often explored themes of social justice, human resilience, and the American Dream. Here are some powerful quotes from his books:
| “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” |
| “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.” |
| “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” |
| “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” |
| “And the little screaming fact that sounds through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed.” |
| “I believe there are monsters born in the world to human parents.” |
| “There ain’t no sin and there ain’t no virtue. There’s just stuff people do.” |
These quotes reflect Steinbeck’s ability to capture the complexity of the human experience and shed light on the darker aspects of society. They continue to resonate with readers today, inspiring reflection and discussion.
Memorable Quotes by John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck, known for his literary works capturing the struggles of the working class, the importance of human connection, and the beauty of the natural world, left us with many memorable quotes. Here are some of his most profound and thought-provoking words:
- “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
- “The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”
- “I believe that there is one story in the world, and only one.”
- “We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it.”
- “It has always seemed strange to me… the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”
- “The quality of owning freezes you forever into ‘I’, and cuts you off forever from the ‘we’.”
- “The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.”
- “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”
- “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.”
These timeless quotes from John Steinbeck continue to resonate with readers, providing insight into the human experience and the world we live in.
Thought-Provoking Quotes by John Steinbeck
“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 perfectability of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature. The perfectability of man is truly a low threshold, but not one person has reached it yet. Faulkner said, ‘I never dreamed of writing a perfect book: I dreamed of writing a good one.'”
“And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual.”
“The writer must be a participant in the scene… he must experience it on his pulse. What he experiences will be what he writes… and in order to do this, he must recognize in himself the ability to feel.”
Emotional Quotes by John Steinbeck
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“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” |
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“It’s so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.” |
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“We spend our time searching for security and hate it when we get it.” |
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“No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself.” |
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“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” |
Literary Quotes by John Steinbeck
1. “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
This quote highlights the theme of acceptance and embracing imperfection in Steinbeck’s works. It encourages individuals to let go of the need for perfection and instead focus on being good.
2. “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
Steinbeck’s quote captures the essence of his belief in the transformative power of journeys. It suggests that the act of traveling is not simply a physical experience but also an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.
3. “The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.”
This quote reflects Steinbeck’s dedication to the craft of writing and his belief in its significance. It underscores the idea that writers must have unwavering faith in their work’s importance, even in the face of self-doubt.
4. “Man is the only kind of varmint sets his own trap, baits it, then steps in it.”
Steinbeck’s quote cleverly comments on human nature, suggesting that humans often create their own problems or difficulties. It serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility individuals have in shaping their own lives.
5. “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.”
In this quote, Steinbeck uses the metaphor of rabbits to describe the abundance and fertility of ideas. It speaks to the creative process, suggesting that once you embrace and nurture one idea, it can lead to an abundance of new ones.
Impactful Quotes by John Steinbeck
- “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck
- “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.” – John Steinbeck
- “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” – John Steinbeck
- “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” – John Steinbeck
- “I have named the destroyers of nations: comfort, plenty, and security – out of which grow a bored and slothful cynicism, in which rebellion against the world as it is, and myself as I am, are submerged in listless self-satisfaction.” – John Steinbeck