The design of a book is the pattern of a reality controlled and shaped by the mind of the writer. This is completely understood about poetry or fiction, but it is too seldom realized about books of fact. And yet the impulse which drives a man to poetry will send another man into the tide pools and force him to try to report what he finds there.... It would be good to know the impulse truly, not to be confused by the 'services to science' platitudes or the other little mazes into which we entice our minds so that they will not know what we are doing.
John SteinbeckA woman holds dreadful power over a man who is in love with her but she should realize that the quality and force of his love is the index of his potential contempt and hatred.
John SteinbeckIn my heart there may be doubt that I deserve the Nobel award over other men of letters whom I hold in respect and reverence, but there is no question of my pleasure and pride in having it for myself.
John SteinbeckTeaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.
John SteinbeckWherever theyโs a fight so hungry people can eat, Iโll be there. Wherever theyโs a cop beatinโ up a guy, Iโll be there. If Casy knowed, why, Iโll be in the way guys yell when theyโre mad anโโIโll be in the way kids laugh when theyโre hungry nโ they know supperโs ready. Anโ when our folks eat the stuff they raise anโ live in the houses they buildโwhy, Iโll be there.
John Steinbeck