Saul Bellow

Novelist

Saul Bellow was a Nobel Prize-winning author known for his exploration of identity and human experience in works like 'Herzog' and 'The Adventures of Augie March'.

Born
June 10, 1915
Died
April 5, 2005
Quotes
231
Rank
#186

About Saul Bellow

Saul Bellow — Life and Legacy

Saul Bellow, a Nobel Prize-winning author, is celebrated for his profound exploration of identity and the human experience. His distinctive voice emerged in the mid-20th century, with works such as 'Herzog' and 'The Adventures of Augie March' that delve into the complexities of modern life. Bellow's characters often grapple with existential dilemmas, reflecting his belief that personal struggle is inherent to the human condition. For instance, he stated, 'We have to fight for our own identity,' which underscores the tension between societal expectations and individual self-definition. Bellow's writing is marked by a deep psychological insight into his characters, revealing their inner conflicts and desires. His quote, 'A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep,' highlights the paradox of knowledge versus the comfort of ignorance, a recurring theme in his narratives. This exploration of contradictions in human nature sets Bellow apart as a thinker who challenged prevailing norms and expectations. Today, Bellow's quotes resonate with readers as they confront their own identities and societal roles. His insights into the struggles of existence and the quest for meaning continue to inspire reflection and dialogue, making his work relevant in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.

Quote collection

Saul Bellow quotes (page 1 of 12)

231 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

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"Humankind struggles with collective powers for its freedom, the individual struggles with dehumanization for the possession of his soul."

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"A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."

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"There are evils that have the ability to survive identification and go on for ever... money, for instance, or war."

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"Associate with the noblest people you can find; read the best books; live with the mighty; but learn to be happy alone."

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"You can spend the entire second half of your life recovering from the mistakes of the first half."

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"Everybody needs his memories. They keep the wolf of insignificance from the door."

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"When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice."

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"In every community there is a class of people profoundly dangerous to the rest. I don't mean the criminals. For them we have punitive sanctions. I mean the leaders. Invariably the most dangerous people seek the power. While in the parlors of indignation the right-thinking citizen brings his heart to a boil. (p. 51)"

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"It's usually the selfish people who are loved the most. They do what you deny yourself, and you love them for it. You give them your heart."

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"Towards the end of your life you have something like a pain schedule to fill out - a long schedule like a federal document, only it's your pain schedule. Endless categories. First, physical causes - like arthritis, gallstones, menstrual cramps. New category, injured vanity, betrayal, swindle, injustice. But the hardest items of all have to do with love. The question then is: So why does everybody persist? If love cuts them up so much."

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"A fool can throw a stone in a pond that 100 wise men can not get out."

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"In an age of madness, to expect to be untouched by madness is a form of madness. But the pursuit of sanity can be a form of madness, too"

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"All human accomplishment has this same origin, identically. Imagination is a force of nature. Is this not enough to make a person full of ecstasy? Imagination, imagination, imagination! It converts to actual. It sustains, it alters, it redeems!"

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"If I had a child of school age, I would send him to one of the Waldorf Schools."

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