James A. Michener Quotes

A collection of quotes by James A. Michener.

James A. Michener (1907-1997) was an American author who achieved worldwide acclaim for his epic historical novels. Born in Pennsylvania, Michener initially pursued a career in teaching before serving as a naval officer during World War II. His first breakthrough novel, "Tales of the South Pacific" (1947), won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into the hit musical "South Pacific." Throughout his career, Michener continued to produce numerous best-selling novels, including "Hawaii" (1959), "Centennial" (1974), and "The Source" (1965). Renowned for his meticulous research and masterful storytelling, he remains one of the most beloved and prolific American writers of the 20th century.

Youth is truth.

Youth is truth.

James A. Michener

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.

James A. Michener

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religio

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.

James A. Michener

I am always interested in why young people become writers, a

I am always interested in why young people become writers, and from talking with many I have concluded that most do not want to be writers working eight and ten hours a day and accomplishing little; they want to have been writers, garnering the rewards of having completed a best-seller. They aspire to the rewards of writing but not to the travail.

James A. Michener

Authors & Writing

Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tr

Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.

James A. Michener

Although most of us know Vincent van Gogh in Arles and Paul

Although most of us know Vincent van Gogh in Arles and Paul Gauguin in Tahiti as if they were neighbors -- somewhat disreputable but endlessly fascinating -- none of us can name two French generals or department store owners of that period. I take enormous pride in considering myself an artist, one of the necessaries.

James A. Michener

Authors & Writing

If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he

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

The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with r

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

I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteen

I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.

James A. Michener

Authors & Writing

The really great writers are people like Emily Bronte who si

The really great writers are people like Emily Bronte who sit in a room and write out of their limited experience and unlimited imagination.

James A. Michener

It takes courage to know when you ought to be afraid.

It takes courage to know when you ought to be afraid.

James A. Michener

An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine,

An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.

James A. Michener