The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.

Quote by James A Michener

Topics: James A Michener Quotes

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people,...

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people,...

For this is the journey that men and women make, to find themselves. If they...

For this is the journey that men and women make, to find themselves. If they...

I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a...

I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a...

I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want...

I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want...

I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want...

I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want...

There are no insoluble problems. Only time-consuming ones.

There are no insoluble problems. Only time-consuming ones.

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.

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

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

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with...

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with...

They were a group of two dozen nurses completely surrounded by 100,000 unattached American men.

They were a group of two dozen nurses completely surrounded by 100,000 unattached American men.

The arrogance of the artist is a very profound thing, and it fortifies you.

The arrogance of the artist is a very profound thing, and it fortifies you.

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

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

Russia, France, Germany and China. They revere their writers. America is still a frontier country...

Russia, France, Germany and China. They revere their writers. America is still a frontier country...

I was a Navy officer writing about Navy problems and I simply stole this lovely...

I was a Navy officer writing about Navy problems and I simply stole this lovely...

I am always interested in why young people become writers, and from talking with many...

I am always interested in why young people become writers, and from talking with many...

The arrogance of the artist is a very profound thing, and it fortifies you.

The arrogance of the artist is a very profound thing, and it fortifies you.

The really great writers are people like Emily Bronte who sit in a room and...

The really great writers are people like Emily Bronte who sit in a room and...

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

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