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 by William Faulkner
Quotes: 7

Why Mississippi Reveals the Heart of the World
Ultimately, Faulkner’s statement underscores the universal power of the particular. By immersing ourselves in the specifics of Mississippi—its landscapes, conflicts, and triumphs—we unlock broader truths about human nature and society. Thus, to understand one place deeply, as Faulkner insists, is to begin understanding the complexities of the world itself. [...]
Created on: 7/3/2025

Mississippi as a Microcosm for Understanding Humanity
Ultimately, Faulkner’s insight underscores the importance of humility and empathy in understanding the world. By first reckoning with the complexities of a single place—with all its contradictions and layers—we become better equipped to appreciate both the diversity and interconnectedness of human experience. In this way, Mississippi stands as both a challenge and an invitation: to look more closely, ask deeper questions, and recognize ourselves in the particular stories of others. [...]
Created on: 7/3/2025

True Freedom Lies in Its Daily Practice
Ultimately, practicing freedom entails vigilance and responsibility—an ongoing, collective effort. This perspective aligns with Hannah Arendt’s view in ‘On Revolution’ (1963), where freedom is realized when people actively participate in shaping their world. Faulkner’s reminder urges us not to rest on inherited rights but to vivify them through action, linking past struggles to present and future obligations. [...]
Created on: 5/10/2025

Raise Your Voice for Truth and Compassion - William Faulkner
William Faulkner was an American writer known for his powerful explorations of the human condition. His works often dealt with social issues, morality, and personal struggle, making this quote reflective of his broader worldview. [...]
Created on: 3/27/2025

Belief Shapes Reality - William Faulkner
Known for his profound insights into human nature, Faulkner's words here align with his broader themes of resilience and awareness in approaching life’s challenges and rewards. [...]
Created on: 1/23/2025

Given the Choice Between the Experience of Pain and Nothing, I Would Choose Pain — William Faulkner
This quote directly engages with the human condition of suffering. Faulkner is not romanticizing pain, but rather confronting a reality where pain is part of life, and choosing it over numbness or disconnection means embracing the full spectrum of human emotion. [...]
Created on: 10/3/2024

You Cannot Swim for New Horizons Until You Have Courage to Lose Sight of the Shore - William Faulkner
William Faulkner, an American author and Nobel Prize laureate, often explored themes of human struggle and endurance. This quote reflects his literary focus on the complexities of the human spirit and the courage needed to face life’s challenges. [...]
Created on: 7/4/2024