It is the duty of the writer to lift up, to extend, to encourage. If the written word has contributed anything at all to our developing species and our half developed culture, it is this: Great writing has been a staff to lean on, a mother to consult, a wisdom to pick up stumbling folly, a strength in weakness and a courage to support sick cowardice.
~ John Steinbeck

Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts, perhaps fear of a loss of power.
~ John Steinbeck

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A good writer always works at the impossible.
~ John Steinbeck

The one thing our species is helpless against is good fortune. It first puzzles, then frightens, then angers, and finally destroys us.
~ John Steinbeck

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Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it, and it has not changed except to become more needed.
~ John Steinbeck

No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself.
~ John Steinbeck

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A secret’s a terribly lonesome thing.
~ John Steinbeck

To be alive at all is to have scars.
~ John Steinbeck

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The things everyone knows are most likely to be wrong.
~ John Steinbeck

No one wants advice — only corroboration.
~ John Steinbeck

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