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.

Quote by Thornton Wilder

Topics: Writers Quotes

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

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

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day.

Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day.

Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she's a householder

Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she's a householder

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...

If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a secret agent.

If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a secret agent.

An incinerator is a writer's best friend.

An incinerator is a writer's best friend.

I am convinced that, except in a few extraordinary cases, one form or another of...

I am convinced that, except in a few extraordinary cases, one form or another of...

We do not choose the day of our birth nor may we choose the day...

We do not choose the day of our birth nor may we choose the day...

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.

Every good thing in the world stands on the razor-edge of danger.

Every good thing in the world stands on the razor-edge of danger.

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,...

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are...

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are...

Many plays-certainly mine-are like blank checks. The actors and directors put their own signatures on...

Many plays-certainly mine-are like blank checks. The actors and directors put their own signatures on...

The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware...

The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware...

There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the...

There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the...

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...

There's nothing like eavesdropping to show you that the world outside your head is different...

There's nothing like eavesdropping to show you that the world outside your head is different...

But there comes a moment in everybody's life when he must decide whether he'll live...

But there comes a moment in everybody's life when he must decide whether he'll live...

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...