Authors
William Faulkner
William Faulkner (1897–1962) was an American novelist and Nobel laureate known for his complex narratives set in Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. His major works include The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying and Absalom, Absalom! His writing explores memory, identity and the social history of the American South.
Quotes: 11
Quotes by William Faulkner

Gratitude Lives Only When Put Into Motion
At first glance, Faulkner’s comparison sounds surprising, yet it quickly clarifies his point: gratitude is not a static possession but an active force. Like electricity, it does not mean much when imagined in the abstrac...
Created on: 4/5/2026

Curiosity as the Heart of Human Insight
Faulkner places insight above mere information, and in doing so he defines it not as quick understanding but as sustained curiosity. To wonder, to mull, and to muse are slower, deeper acts than simply noticing facts; the...
Created on: 3/29/2026

Patience as the Engine of Mastery
Faulkner’s line places patience not at the margins of success, but at its very core. By repeating “to try and to try and to try,” he turns persistence into a rhythm, suggesting that achievement rarely arrives in a single...
Created on: 3/23/2026

Patience and Ruthless Standards in Creative Growth
At first glance, Faulkner’s statement appears severe, yet its force comes from pairing two qualities that are often treated as opposites: infinite patience and ruthless intolerance. He argues that any young person hoping...
Created on: 3/19/2026

Belief Shapes Reality - William Faulkner
This quote underscores the importance of perception in shaping one's experiences. Even if the world offers opportunities or blessings, they go unnoticed if one does not believe in them.
Created on: 1/23/2025

Given the Choice Between the Experience of Pain and Nothing, I Would Choose Pain — William Faulkner
This quote reflects an existential viewpoint, implying that experiencing pain is a way of affirming existence. Choosing pain over nothingness highlights the idea that living, even with suffering, is more meaningful than...
Created on: 10/3/2024

You Cannot Swim for New Horizons Until You Have Courage to Lose Sight of the Shore - William Faulkner
The quote emphasizes the necessity of courage and a willingness to take risks in order to achieve new goals or explore new opportunities. Without stepping out of one's comfort zone, personal growth and discovery remain l...
Created on: 7/4/2024