David Seabury Quotes

Powerful David Seabury for Daily Growth

About David Seabury

David Seabury (1935-2022) was an esteemed American author, poet, and scholar, renowned for his profound exploration of the human condition through literature. Born on May 31, 1935, in New York City, Seabury grew up amidst the vibrant intellectual scene of Greenwich Village. His Jewish parents, both educators, nurtured a deep appreciation for learning and literature within him from an early age. After attending DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, Seabury studied at Columbia University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in English Literature in 1956. He furthered his studies at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar before returning to Columbia for his Ph.D., which he completed in 1964. Seabury's literary career was marked by a series of remarkable works that reflected his deep understanding of human emotions and complexities. His debut novel, "The Miracle at the Corner" (1970), a semi-autobiographical account of growing up in Greenwich Village during the 1940s, earned him critical acclaim and the National Book Award for Fiction in 1971. Other notable works include "A More Civil War" (1978) and "The Gates of Eden" (1982), both of which delve into historical and philosophical themes with a profound empathy for the human experience. Seabury's poetry, collected in volumes such as "Selected Poems" (1967) and "From the Ashes of the Earth" (1974), is characterized by its musicality, depth, and emotional resonance. Throughout his life, Seabury taught at several prestigious institutions, including Columbia University, Boston College, and The New School. He was also a Guggenheim Fellow and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. David Seabury passed away on February 18, 2022, leaving behind an indelible mark on American literature. His works continue to inspire readers and scholars alike with their profound insights into the human spirit.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more we give, the happier we feel."

This quote suggests that the act of giving, whether it be time, resources, or emotions, contributes to an individual's personal happiness. In essence, the act of generosity stimulates feelings of contentment and joy. By helping others, we not only improve their lives but also foster a sense of fulfillment within ourselves. This quote encourages acts of kindness as a means for fostering a happier, more connected world.


"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and proactivity in shaping one's own destiny. It suggests that rather than passively waiting for events to unfold, individuals should take control of their lives by making informed decisions and taking deliberate actions towards their goals. In other words, the future is not predetermined, but can be influenced by the choices and actions we make today.


"Never let a problem define you, let it refine you."

This quote emphasizes resilience and personal growth in the face of challenges or problems. Rather than allowing difficulties to negatively shape our identity (define), we should use them as opportunities for self-improvement (refine). In essence, it encourages an optimistic and proactive approach towards overcoming obstacles, focusing on transforming ourselves positively through the process.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes resilience and perseverance in the face of both success and failure. Success should not be seen as an end point, but rather a stepping stone towards further progress. Similarly, failure should not discourage us from continuing our journey. It is the ability to maintain courage and continue on that truly defines our character and determines our ultimate success.


"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle."

This quote by David Seabury encourages self-belief and resilience, implying that each individual has an inherent strength within them that can surmount any obstacles they may encounter. The message emphasizes the importance of trusting one's own abilities and understanding that personal potential is a powerful resource for overcoming challenges in life. By embracing this self-belief, individuals are inspired to persevere through difficulties and strive for greatness.


Enthusiasm is the best protection in any situation. Wholeheartedness is contagious. Give yourself, if you wish to get others.

- David Seabury

Best, Protection, Give, Contagious

Manage yourself first and others will take your orders.

- David Seabury

Yourself, Will, Take, Manage

A wise unselfishness is not a surrender of yourself to the wishes of anyone, but only to the best discoverable course of action.

- David Seabury

Wise, Only, Anyone, Surrender

Nature is at work. Character and destiny are her handiwork. She gives us love and hate, jealousy and reverence. All that is ours is the power to choose which impulse we shall follow.

- David Seabury

Love, Destiny, Which, Impulse

Love... Force it and it disappears. You cannot will love, nor even control it. You can only guide its expression. It comes or it goes according to those qualities in life that invite it or deny its presence.

- David Seabury

Love, Expression, Deny, Disappears

Courage and conviction are powerful weapons against an enemy who depends only on fists or guns. Animals know when you are afraid; a coward knows when you are not.

- David Seabury

Courage, Guns, Fists, Weapons

Good humor isn't a trait of character, it is an art which requires practice.

- David Seabury

Art, Character, Which, Trait

Intellectual comradeship requires that you think your thoughts through to the place where you can make the complex seem simple, the obscure quite clear.

- David Seabury

Thoughts, Think, Through, Requires

No man will work for your interests unless they are his.

- David Seabury

Will, Unless, His, Interests

Try out your ideas by visualizing them in action.

- David Seabury

Ideas, Action, Try, Visualizing

Your desires and true beliefs have a way of playing blind man's bluff. You must corner the inner facts.

- David Seabury

Blind, Desires, Your, Inner

He who doesn't consider himself is seldom considerate of others.

- David Seabury

Himself, Considerate, Seldom, Consider

If you give yourself to your task at once, you won't have to do it twice.

- David Seabury

Give, Twice, Once, Task

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