A. J. Jacobs Quotes

Powerful A. J. Jacobs for Daily Growth

About A. J. Jacobs

A.J. Jacobs, born on March 14, 1968, is an American journalist, humorist, and author known for his unconventional social experiments blended with humor and intellectual curiosity. Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Jacobs attended Cornell University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. His literary career began as a writer for Esquire magazine before moving to Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic Monthly, and Slate, where he is still a columnist. Jacobs rose to prominence with his self-experiment books, which involve immersing himself in various cultural or intellectual pursuits for a year or more. His first such book, "The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World" (2004), saw him reading the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica. The follow-up, "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible" (2007), chronicled his attempt to live in accordance with every rule mentioned in the Bible. In 2010, Jacobs published "Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for a Longer Life," where he embarked on a personal health crusade inspired by self-help books. His latest book, "It's All Relative: Adventures of a Mitochondrial Family Tree" (2017), delves into genealogy and family history. Jacobs' works are characterized by their blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and deep research, making them accessible and engaging for a wide audience. His work continues to explore the intersection of humor, self-improvement, and the human condition, captivating readers with his unique narrative style and infectious enthusiasm.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe that if more people coconut-oiled their hair, there would be world peace."

This quote by A.J. Jacobs is a metaphorical expression suggesting that engaging in simple, peaceful, and joyful activities (such as coconut oiling one's hair) can foster harmony and understanding among people, leading to world peace. It implies that small acts of kindness, shared experiences, and mutual care can have a significant impact on the global community, ultimately fostering unity and reducing conflicts.


"A good book is like a box of chocolates: It's hard to know which one you're going to love until you try it."

This quote suggests that, like a box of chocolates, books are diverse in their content and appeal; each one offers unique experiences and emotions, and the enjoyment or appreciation one gets from reading a book is often unpredictable until they've immersed themselves within it. In essence, it encourages readers to explore different genres, authors, and themes, as the joy of discovering a beloved book can only be realized through the act of reading itself.


"Laughter is anubis the best medicine, but reading is a close second."

This quote suggests that while laughter can provide significant emotional relief and boost one's mood (the "best medicine"), reading comes in as a strong second for providing mental well-being and personal growth. Reading exposes us to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, helping us understand the world better and broaden our minds. In essence, it encourages the reader to engage in introspection, learn, and grow.


"I realized that we can all be heroes if we choose. We can all make a difference in someone else's life."

This quote emphasizes that each individual has the potential to act heroically and positively impact others' lives. It suggests that the power to effect change lies within us all, and we should seize opportunities to help others, thereby elevating ourselves and our communities. It is a call to action, encouraging everyone to find their unique way of making a difference, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant it may appear.


"The world is full of interesting people doing interesting things. I want to meet them all."

This quote by A. J. Jacobs emphasizes a desire for exploration, curiosity, and connection with diverse individuals. It suggests that there's an abundance of fascinating stories, experiences, and knowledge waiting to be discovered from the multitude of people worldwide. In essence, it highlights the importance of open-mindedness, empathy, and lifelong learning as valuable aspects of personal growth and understanding our shared humanity.


The key to making healthy decisions is to respect your future self. Honor him or her. Treat him or her like you would treat a friend or a loved one. A Stanford study showed that those who saw a photo of their future self made smarter financial decisions.

- A. J. Jacobs

Future, Treat, Study, Smarter

I tried the paleo diet, which is the caveman diet - lots of meat. And I tried the calorie restriction diet: The idea is that if you eat very, very little - if you're on the verge of starvation, you will live a very long time, whether or not you want to, of course.

- A. J. Jacobs

Long, Idea, Very, Calorie

My goal? To test out every diet and exercise regimen on planet earth and figure out which work best. I sweated, I cooked, I learned to pole dance. In the end, I lost weight, lowered my cholesterol and doubled my energy level. I feel better than I ever have.

- A. J. Jacobs

Best, Exercise, Feel, Regimen

There's a very passionate pro-chewing movement on the Internet called Chewdiasm. They say that we should be chewing 50 to 100 times per mouthful, which is insane. I tried that. It takes like a day and a half to eat a sandwich. But their basic idea is right. If you chew, you'll eat slower and you will get more nutrients.

- A. J. Jacobs

Passionate, Very, Half, Chewing

I was what they call 'skinny fat' - a body that resembled a python after swallowing a goat.

- A. J. Jacobs

Call, Python, Swallowing, Goat

The best we can do, to paraphrase Pollan, is to eat whole foods, mostly plants, and not too much.

- A. J. Jacobs

Mostly, Foods, Too, Paraphrase

I pledged to become the world's greatest expert in a field I knew nothing about.

- A. J. Jacobs

World, Expert, Field, Pledged

I have little shame, no dignity - all in the name of a better cause.

- A. J. Jacobs

Name, Shame, Better, Dignity

I was very good at sitting. But I just read so much research about how horrible sitting is for you. It's like, it's really bad. It's like Paula-Deen-glazed-bacon-doughnut bad. So I now move around as much as possible.

- A. J. Jacobs

Move, Very, Read, Horrible

It's sort of my job to feel good.

- A. J. Jacobs

Job, Feel, Sort, Feel Good

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