Clyde Edgerton Quotes

Powerful Clyde Edgerton for Daily Growth

About Clyde Edgerton

Clyde Edgerton is an acclaimed American novelist, short-story writer, and educator, known for his distinctive Southern voice and rich storytelling. Born on August 13, 1949, in Wilmington, North Carolina, he was the youngest of five children in a family with deep roots in the South. Edgerton attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied journalism and English. His literary journey began early, with his first short story published in The Atlantic Monthly while he was still an undergraduate student. This success served as a catalyst for his passion for writing. Post-graduation, Edgerton worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers in North Carolina before moving to Texas to teach creative writing at Southern Methodist University. It was during this time that he wrote his debut novel, "Raney" (1986), which earned him the prestigious Henry Russell Shaw Award for Best First Novel. The book, set in the rural South, is a poignant exploration of family, love, and loss. In 1993, Edgerton published "The Texas-Israeli War Quilt," another critically acclaimed novel that combines humor, history, and heartbreak to tell the story of a small Southern town's unexpected involvement in an international conflict. His works are characterized by their rich dialogue, colorful characters, and vivid depictions of the South. Throughout his career, Edgerton has received numerous awards and accolades for his writing, including two Guggenheim Fellowships and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. He currently serves as the John K. Barbour Chair in Literature and Liberal Arts at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he continues to teach and inspire new generations of writers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't go home again, but I guess you can visit."

The quote suggests that it is impossible to fully return to one's past, as time moves forward and personal growth occurs. However, it implies that reminiscing or revisiting old places, memories, and experiences can help us maintain a connection with our roots and understand who we have become in the present.

"It ain't what a man don't know that gets him into trouble. It's what he knows for sure that just ain't so."

This quote by Clyde Edgerton emphasizes the danger of unquestioned certainty in beliefs, particularly when those beliefs are based on misinformation or outdated knowledge. It suggests that people often get into trouble due to their unwavering adherence to information they consider as factual, even if it's proven false or outdated. This quote encourages critical thinking and an open-minded approach to learning and understanding the world around us.

"I think that life is too short to be small."

This quote suggests that one should strive to live their life to its fullest potential, rather than limiting oneself or settling for less than they are capable of achieving. It encourages an expansive, courageous approach to living, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, pursuing dreams, and striving for greatness over conforming to mediocrity or being held back by fear or doubt. Essentially, it's a call to action to live boldly and make the most of every moment in life.

"The past isn't dead. It isn't even past."

This quote by Clyde Edgerton suggests that the influence and impact of the past is not merely a relic of history but persistently relevant in our present and future lives. In other words, the lessons, memories, and consequences from the past continue to shape our thoughts, actions, and culture, making them an integral part of our current existence. This quote can serve as a reminder that understanding our historical context is crucial for meaningful progress and personal growth.

"There are some things you can't ever tell anybody."

This quote suggests that there exist personal, private, or sensitive matters that individuals choose not to share with others due to reasons such as privacy, emotional burden, or fear of judgment. These secrets could be deeply rooted in one's feelings, experiences, or personal beliefs and are often kept to protect one's identity or inner self from external scrutiny. It emphasizes the importance of understanding boundaries in relationships and respecting an individual's need for privacy and autonomy.

A working definition of fathering might be this: fathering is the act of guiding a child to behave in ways that lead to the child's becoming a secure child in full, thus increasing his or her chances of being happy and fruitful as a young adult.

- Clyde Edgerton

Young, Becoming, Dad, Chances

Because we men have been physically stronger and more arrogant, we've influenced much of the cool stuff of the world, like basing the definition of courage on what we do on battlefields rather than on the patience or endurance or tolerance necessary for a sometimes painful daily grind that includes small children.

- Clyde Edgerton

Small, Been, Rather, Tolerance

I think I would have written more books if I'd had fewer kids or had them earlier, but I think the books in general would have had a little less spark to them.

- Clyde Edgerton

Think, More, I Think, Spark

A parentologist is a person who writes a book about parenting that is very clear about answers to, 'How am I supposed to raise my child?' Some of these well-intentioned people may be a bit too sure-footed on the sometimes slippery slope of parenting.

- Clyde Edgerton

Book, Some, Very, Writes

Being a father can 'unreason' your worldview, or at least make it very flexible, and that can create all sorts of fun and insights. It's sad that children's open-eyed wonder and sense of play begin to fade as they approach adolescence. One grand function of fathering is to keep the fading to a minimum.

- Clyde Edgerton

Father, Play, Very, Fading

I believe there's a secret chemical that's turned loose when you have kids that says you've got to survive, you've got to be strong. That keeps you on your toes, besides all kinds of other things, when you have three little ones running around.

- Clyde Edgerton

Strong, Other, Turned, To Survive

I can't deal with the ears in 'Star Trek.' I only saw the first 'Star Wars' movie, and I don't think I saw an entire 'Star Trek' TV show, and I certainly didn't see the movie. I like 'Andy Griffith' and 'Deadwood.'

- Clyde Edgerton

Deal, Movie, TV, Deadwood

If you are a good person, you will probably be a good father. Try not to worry too much. If you don't feel apprehensive just before your first child arrives, you are abnormal. Though catastrophe doesn't come as often in childbirth as it did a few generations ago, we naturally fear it.

- Clyde Edgerton

Father, Good Person, Before, Apprehensive

Kristina, my wife, and I thought about this one day when the kids were, of course, watching television. And we took a big blanket and put it in the backyard and said, 'Let's go out on our back and look at the sky and call it sky television.' We saw all kinds of things.

- Clyde Edgerton

Thought, Big, One Day, Backyard

As an older dad who grew up in a rural culture in the South, certain things were expected of women, and that included raising the children. But I think it's just as important for the father to give the baths, to hug, to change the diapers, to tell the stories.

- Clyde Edgerton

I Think, South, Dad, Hug

In my case, a papadaddy is a father. My paternal grandfather was called Papa by my father who was called Daddy by me.

- Clyde Edgerton

Father, Me, Papa, Daddy

I have a daughter, Catherine, aged 30. I have a 9-year-old son, Nathaniel, a 7-year-old son, Ridley, and a 6-year-old daughter, Truma. I'm 68. The age gap between the younger kids and me is not something I think about much because I feel physically about like I did when I was 40, or at least, I think I do.

- Clyde Edgerton

I Think, About, Least, Catherine

Recently, I was preparing to sing Springsteen's 'If I Should Fall Behind' for a wedding and was unable to get through it without tears. My wife handed me 'Love You Forever.' I read it. I cried. But that cry somehow cured me of crying while singing the song. Go figure.

- Clyde Edgerton

Love, Behind, Through, Preparing

I once tried to raise two tomato plants, and they died in spite of the fact I fertilized them every morning. Duh.

- Clyde Edgerton

Tomato, Fact, Them, Duh

It's nice to have more than one little one because then you'll have - while one is pushing you in a wheelchair, the other one can open the doors for you.

- Clyde Edgerton

More, Wheelchair, Other, The Doors

Music was a large part of my life. and it is a bit cliche, but it's a way people come together.

- Clyde Edgerton

My Life, Part, Large, Cliche

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