Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Thornton Wilder (American Novelist, Dramatist)

Thornton Niven Wilder (1897–1975) was a prolific American novelist, playwright, and essayist. Over a writing career spanning 50 years, he wrote folksy, optimistic—and subversive—novels and plays that reflect his views of the universal truths in human nature. This three-time Pulitzer winner remains a much-loved and populist literary icon.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Wilder was educated at Yale. After graduating, he studied archaeology and Italian in Rome and served in both wars, becoming a lieutenant colonel in 1944. He started his career as a teacher of English at Lawrenceville Academy 1921–28 and the University of Chicago 1930–37.

Wilder’s celebrated works include The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1927; Pulitzer,) The Woman of Andros (1930,) Heaven’s My Destination (1935,) and The Ides of March (1948.) His first plays—The Trumpet Shall Sound (1926,) The Angel That Troubled the Waters (1928,) and The Long Christmas Dinner (1931)—were more literary and less theatrical. He subsequently produced Our Town (1938; Pulitzer,) a successful play that conjures without scenery or costumes a universal of provincial life, and The Skin of Our Teeth (1942; Pulitzer,) an amusing and philosophical fable of humanity’s struggle to survive.

Wilder’s later plays include The Matchmaker (1954,) A Life in the Sun (1955,) The Eighth Day (1967,) Theophilus North (1974) and, the musical Hello Dolly! (1964;) the latter was based on The Matchmaker.

Wilder also wrote modern adaptations of André Obey’s play Lucrèce (1932) and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1937.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Thornton Wilder

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Hope

Love is an energy which exists of itself. It is its own value.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Love

A sense of humor judges one’s actions and the actions of others from a wider reference … it pardons shortcomings; it consoles failure. It recommends moderation.
—Thornton Wilder

Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Money

Winning children (who appear so guileless) are children who have discovered how effective charm and modesty and a delicately calculated spontaneity are in winning what they want.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Children

Many plays, certainly mine, are like blank cheques. The actors and directors put their own signatures on them.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Theater

Never support two weaknesses at the same time. It’s your combination sinners—your lecherous liars and your miserly drunkards—who dishonor the vices and bring them into bad repute.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Vice, Humor

The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.
—Thornton Wilder

Many great writers have been extraordinarily awkward in daily exchange, but the greatest give the impression that their style was nursed by the closest attention to colloquial speech.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Conversation, Speech

For what human ill does dawn not seem to be alternative?
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Choice

The planting of trees is the least self-centered of all that we can do. It is a purer act of faith than the procreation of children.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Children, Faith

The future is the most expensive luxury in the world.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Tomorrow, The Future

The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Choices, Choice, Decision

I not only bow to the inevitable; I am fortified by it.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Acceptance, Attitude

It is only in appearance that time is a river. It is rather a vast landscape and it is the eye of the beholder that moves.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Time

The best part of married life is the fights. The rests is merely so.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Marriage

I rose by sheer military ability to the rank of corporal.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: The Military

For what human ill does not dawn seem to be an alleviation?
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Morning

Those who are silent, self-effacing and attentive become the recipients of confidences.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Confidence

Favors cease to be favors when there are conditions attached to them.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Generosity

Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she’s a householder.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Marriage

The future author is one who discovers that language, the exploration and manipulation of the resources of language, will serve him in winning through to his way.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Authors & Writing, Writing, Writers

Comparisons of one’s lot with others’ teaches us nothing and enfeebles the will.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Comparisons, Reality, Opportunities

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate—that’s my philosophy.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Philosophy, Advice, Enjoyment, Gratitude

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
Topics: Theater

I would love to be the poet laureate of Coney Island.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Poetry

A play visibly represents pure existing.
—Thornton Wilder

I’ve never forgotten for long at a time that living is struggle. I know that every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment on the razor-edge of danger and must be fought for—whether it’s a field, or a home, or a country.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Goodness

The unencumbered stage encourages the truth operative in everyone. The less seen, the more heard. The eye is the enemy of the ear in real drama.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Theater

Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day.
—Thornton Wilder
Topics: Reading

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