Isaac Bashevis Singer Quotes

A collection of quotes by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Isaac Bashevis Singer was a renowned Polish-American writer, born on November 21, 1902, in Leoncin, Poland. He is widely recognized as one of the leading Yiddish-language authors of the 20th century. Singer was born into a family of Hasidic Jews, and his childhood was profoundly influenced by Jewish mysticism and folklore.

In the early 1930s, Singer worked as a journalist and editor for several Yiddish newspapers in Poland. However, with the rise of the Nazis and the outbreak of World War II, he emigrated to the United States in 1935. There, he settled in New York City and began writing stories, novels, and plays. Despite the language barrier, Singer persisted in writing in Yiddish, believing it to be the most authentic medium for capturing the Jewish experience.

Singer's literary works often explored themes of Jewish identity, the human condition, and morality. His stories were marked by rich characterization, vivid descriptions, and a touch of mysticism. His most notable works include "The Family Moskat" (1950), "The Magician of Lublin" (1960), and "Enemies: A Love Story" (1966), which won him the prestigious National Book Award and was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film.

In 1978, Singer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his impassioned narrative art, which with roots in a Polish-Jewish cultural tradition, brough universal validity to a world of his own. He continued writing until his death in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of captivating storytelling that transcended language and culture.