Clarence Day Quotes

Powerful Clarence Day for Daily Growth

About Clarence Day

Clarence Clifford Day (July 4, 1874 – December 3, 1935) was an American writer, humorist, playwright, and editor, best known for his memoir "Life with Father," a humorous account of his childhood experiences growing up in New York City. Born in Buffalo, New York, Day moved with his family to Manhattan when he was eight years old. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from Harvard University in 1897. After graduation, Day worked for several publications, including The New York Sun and The Independent. In 1905, Day published his first book, "The Trees of Manhattan," a collection of essays about the urban forest of New York City. However, it was his memoir, "Life with Father," published in 1935, that brought him widespread fame and critical acclaim. The memoir, based on a series of articles Day wrote for The Saturday Evening Post, recounts his childhood experiences living with his father, Dr. Clarence Jackson Day Sr., who was known for his rigidity and strict adherence to Victorian values. In addition to "Life with Father," Day also wrote plays and essays, many of which were published in popular magazines. He was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker and served as the magazine's fiction editor from 1927 to 1935. Day was married twice, first to Mary Alice Hoyt, with whom he had three children, and then to Emily Huntington Miller, who was also a writer. He died in 1935 at the age of 61 from a heart attack. Today, Day is remembered as a master storyteller and one of the most popular humorists of his time. His work continues to be celebrated for its warmth, wit, and insight into the human condition.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I have never seen anything on earth so beautiful as the moisture on a rose at sunrise."

The quote suggests that the author finds profound beauty in the simple sight of dew on a rose at sunrise. He perceives this everyday occurrence not just as an ordinary natural phenomenon, but as something exceptional and stunningly beautiful, evoking a deep sense of wonder and appreciation for the delicate intricacies of nature.

"The years thunder by. The moments are silent."

This quote underscores the fleeting nature of time and life, emphasizing that while we often experience years passing as a roaring, noisy event, the individual moments - the building blocks of our lives - are quiet and tranquil. It encourages us to appreciate and cherish those silent moments, for they make up our rich tapestry of experiences, which, when viewed from a distance, may seem like a thunderous passage of time.

"Life is not the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away."

This quote emphasizes that life isn't just about the quantity of experiences (number of breaths), but rather the quality of experiences (moments that leave a profound impact). It suggests that it is those rare, significant moments - whether they are happy, sad, exciting, or enlightening - that truly define our lives and make them memorable. In other words, it's not just living, but living fully and passionately that makes life worthwhile.

"The first wealth is health."

This quote by Clarence Day emphasizes the importance of good health above all material possessions or wealth. Essentially, it underscores the idea that a person's well-being and vitality are more crucial than any accumulated resources or wealth, as these can never guarantee happiness, longevity, or quality of life if one is physically or mentally unhealthy. In essence, taking care of one's health should be a top priority in our lives.

"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is only a vision; but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day."

This quote by Clarence Day emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. He suggests that we should cherish our past memories as dreams, looking back at them with fondness, but not dwelling on them. At the same time, we should approach the future with hope, recognizing its potential, but not allowing it to consume us. Instead, we should focus on making each day the best it can be, ensuring that today becomes a reality of happiness and a vision for tomorrow's hope. In essence, the message is to live fully in the present moment, finding joy and contentment in the here and now, while maintaining optimism about what lies ahead.

If your parents didn't have any children, there's a good chance that you won't have any.

- Clarence Day

Children, Chance, Your, Good Chance

The ant is knowing and wise, but he doesn't know enough to take a vacation.

- Clarence Day

Wise, Knowing, Take, Vacation

Ants are good citizens, they place group interests first.

- Clarence Day

Place, Ants, Interests, Group

If you don't go to other men's funerals, they won't go to yours.

- Clarence Day

Men, Other, Funerals, Yours

Information's pretty thin stuff unless mixed with experience.

- Clarence Day

Experience, Pretty, Unless, Thin

A moderate addiction to money may not always be hurtful; but when taken in excess it is nearly always bad for the health.

- Clarence Day

Money, Finance, Always, Moderate

Creatures whose mainspring is curiosity enjoy the accumulating of facts far more than the pausing at times to reflect on those facts.

- Clarence Day

Curiosity, More, Creatures, Pausing

We talk of our mastery of nature, which sounds very grand; but the fact is we respectfully adapt ourselves, first, to her ways.

- Clarence Day

Nature, Very, Which, Adapt

Age should not have its face lifted, but it should rather teach the world to admire wrinkles as the etchings of experience and the firm line of character.

- Clarence Day

Teach, Line, Rather, Lifted

You can't sweep other people off their feet, if you can't be swept off your own.

- Clarence Day

Wisdom, Feet, Sweep, Swept

We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.

- Clarence Day

Cannot, Which, Avoided, Ills

Reason is the servant of instinct.

- Clarence Day

Reason, Servant, Instinct

Too many moralists begin with a dislike of reality.

- Clarence Day

Reality, Too, Many, Dislike

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