A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator.

John Steinbeck

Quoted in Paris Review

More information about this quote

Topic

Power of words Meaning of words Words

Speaker

John Steinbeck

Source

Art of Fiction interview Paris Review

Medium

Interview Magazine

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1954 1950s 20th century

Occupation

Novelist Writer

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Steinbeck, John. "John Steinbeck, The Art of Fiction No. 45." Interviewed by Nathaniel Benchley. The Paris Review, Fall 1969. Originally was published in "In Awe of Words." Exonian, 3 Mar. 1954.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by John Steinbeck about power of words: “A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind…”
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A quote by John Steinbeck about power of words: “A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind…”
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A quote by John Steinbeck about power of words: “A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1950s

Cheese, milk's leap toward immortality.

Clifton Fadiman

The Complete Book of Cheese

More information about this quote
Topic
Cheese

Author

Clifton Fadiman
Source
The Complete Book of Cheese
Language
English
Time
1955 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Fadiman, Clifton. The Complete Book of Cheese. Gramercy Publishing Company, 1955, introduction.

Another quote of the following type Metaphor, analogy and simile

Fish and Visitors stink after three days.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Buy Poor Richard's Almanack at Amazon Buy Poor Richard's Almanack at Amazon
Read this proverb at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Wearing out one's welcome Guests and visitors Hospitality

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)
Source
Poor Richard's Almanack
Medium
Almanac
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1736 1730s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard's Almanack. Philadelphia, 1736.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1736." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.