Old age is a special problem for me because I’ve never been able to shed the mental image I have of myself — a lad of about nineteen.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
“E. B. White: Notes and Comment by Author,” interview by Israel Shenker, New York Times (1969-07-11)
(Source)
On his 70th birthday.
Quotations by:
White, E. B.
I am inordinately proud these days of the quill, for it has shown itself, historically, to be the hypodermic which inoculates men and keeps the germ of freedom always in circulation, so that there are individuals in every time in every land who are the carriers, the Typhoid Mary’s, capable of infecting others by mere contact and example. These persons are feared by every tyrant — who shows his fear by burning the books and destroying the individuals.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
“Freedom” (Jul 1940)
Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
“Notes and Comments,” New Yorker (3 Jul 1943)
(Source)
Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the purely scientific mind.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
“The Preaching Humorist,” The Saturday Review of Literature (18 Oct 1941)
The apparent origin of "Analyzing humor is a bit like dissecting a frog: You learn how it works but you end up with a dead frog" (and variants). Also attributed to Mark Twain (not found in his writing) and André Maurois (who said something similar in 1960). See here for more.
It is easier for a man to be loyal to his club than to his planet; the by-laws are shorter, and he is personally acquainted with the other members.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world, and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting laundry.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
I have one share in corporate Earth, and I am nervous about the management.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
Weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society — things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
(Attributed)
Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Interview by G. Plimpton, F. Crowther, The Paris Review (1969)
A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Interview by George Plimpton and Frank H. Crowther, “E. B. White, The Art of the Essay No. 1,” Paris Review #48 (Fall 1969)
(Source)
I am beginning to feel a little more like an author now that I have had a book banned. The literary life, in this country, begins in jail.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Letter to Stanley Hart White (1944-06)
(Source)
On reading that the US Army and Navy had refused to publish an "Armed Services Edition" of his Harper's magazine essay collection, One Man's Meat (1942), for "political implications." The decision was later rescinded.
The press in our free country is reliable and useful not because of its good character but because of its great diversity. As long as there are many owners, each pursuing his own brand of truth, we the people have an opportunity to arrive at the truth and to dwell in the light. The multiplicity of ownership is crucial. It’s only when there are a few owners, or, as in a government-controlled press, one owner, that truth becomes illusive and the light fails.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Letter to W. B. Jones (30 Jan 1976)
I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
E. B. White (1899-1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks White]
Recalled on his death, Newsweek (14 Oct 1985)