Famous Quotes of Harper Lee

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Harper Lee
Harper Lee

Harper Lee is well-known American author and Pulitzer Prize winner. Her most famous work To Kill a Mockingbird has become a staple novel of English classes across the United States and one of the most renowned American literary works. In 2007, Lee was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which recognized the huge cultural impact her writing has had on the United States. For the most part, Lee lives a private life and rarely grants requests for public appearances and interviews.

‘As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it – whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, he is trash.’

It is not a person’s background that matters, it is the way they treat those around them. Though this quote specifically addresses racism, this is true for any issue. One’s ability to treat others well is a good indication of a person’s character ‘ not the items they on or the great name they possess.

‘Any writer worth his salt writes to please himself…It’s a self-exploratory operation that is endless. An exorcism of not necessarily his demon, but of his divine discontent.’

A truly great writer does not write for the sake of others. There is something in their life that needs to be said and expression is not optional ‘ it is essential.

‘It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.’

Though being insulted is hurtful, being called a nasty name is never a reflection on you. It is simply a reflection on the person who would use such a terrible descriptor for another human being.

‘Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowing more than they do. It aggravates ’em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talking right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.’

Opposing parties with strong opinions that are not willing to listen or change is useless. The only way someone will change their opinion is if they are open to doing so and more often than not, they are content with remaining ignorant.

‘I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.’

There is no point in dividing people up by class, race, gender, etc. We are all people and that is all that matters.

‘Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.’

There are certain privileges that we take for granted and we never truly appreciate them until they are seized from us. Censorship should be taken seriously for this reason.

‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.’

It is easy to become angered by the actions of others, but trying to put yourself in the other person’s position and understand where they’re coming from allows us to have empathy for those around us..

‘Delete the adjectives and [you’ll] have the facts.’

All description is subjective. This is not only useful to keep in mind when writing, it’s useful to keep in mind when you hear others recounting and story or situation.

‘Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.’

Though the opinions of others will certainly hold sway over your actions, ultimately, you have to go home by yourself at the end of the day and live with yourself. Listen to what you want, need, and feel ‘ ultimately that’s all that matters.

‘It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.’

The ability to physically harm others or be physically threatening to others is not an indication of true bravery. Courage comes in a number of guises ‘ standing up for what is right is one of the ignored faces of true bravery.

‘Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.’

Sometimes a true indicator of courage is to stand up for something even when you know you’ve already lost. Though you might not win the argument or battle, at least you made a point.

‘People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.’

People who are truly gifted remain modest about their talents and always strive to improve themselves. Bragging does little but set you up for failure.

‘With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.’

You never truly appreciate an essential person in your life until they disappear. If you see someone every day, they have a tendency to just blend in with their surroundings, but once they are gone, you finally realize how much you loved them.

‘People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.’

Relatively simple quote. People look for and see what they want to. Preconceived attitudes are always right because people are looking for details in love that cofirm them.

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