I am convinced that, except in a few extraordinary cases, one form or another of an unhappy childhood is essential to the formation of exceptional gifts.

Quote by Thornton Wilder

Topics: Thornton Wilder Quotes

Pride, avarice, and envy are in every home

Pride, avarice, and envy are in every home

Love is an energy which exists of itself. It is its own value.

Love is an energy which exists of itself. It is its own value.

Ninety-nine per cent of the people in the world are fools and the rest of...

Ninety-nine per cent of the people in the world are fools and the rest of...

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

In advertising, not to be different is virtual suicide.

In advertising, not to be different is virtual suicide.

The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much.

The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much.

The comic spirit is given to us in order that we may analyze, weigh, and...

The comic spirit is given to us in order that we may analyze, weigh, and...

Man is not an end but a beginning. We are at the beginning of the...

Man is not an end but a beginning. We are at the beginning of the...

When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having...

When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having...

The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much.

The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much.

A dramatist is one who believes that the pure event, an action involving human beings,...

A dramatist is one who believes that the pure event, an action involving human beings,...

All good things must come to an end, but all bad things can continue forever.

All good things must come to an end, but all bad things can continue forever.

I know that every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment...

I know that every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment...

Nature reserves the right to inflict upon her children the most terrifying jests.

Nature reserves the right to inflict upon her children the most terrifying jests.

When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having...

When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having...

I would love to be the poet laureate of Coney Island.

I would love to be the poet laureate of Coney Island.

Many plays - certainly mine - are like blank checks. The actors and directors put...

Many plays - certainly mine - are like blank checks. The actors and directors put...

When God loves a creature he wants the creature to know the highest happiness and...

When God loves a creature he wants the creature to know the highest happiness and...

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening...

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening...

Live with men as if God saw you; converse with God as if men heard...

Live with men as if God saw you; converse with God as if men heard...

Money may not buy happiness, but it can damn well give it!

Money may not buy happiness, but it can damn well give it!