Donald Mccaig Quotes

Powerful Donald Mccaig for Daily Growth

About Donald Mccaig

Donald McCaig (January 17, 1938 – September 4, 2015) was an American writer, best known for his contributions to fantasy literature and the Lojban language construction. Born in New York City, he spent much of his early life traveling the world with his family due to his father's work in international diplomacy. This nomadic upbringing greatly influenced McCaig's vivid storytelling and appreciation for diverse cultures. After studying mathematics and linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), McCaig began working as a computer programmer, a profession he would continue to pursue throughout his life. However, his passion for writing could not be ignored. His debut novel, "The Island on the River of Time," published in 1982, was a testament to this passion and marked the beginning of his literary career. McCaig's most notable work is arguably the six-book "Harvest of Changelings" series, starting with "The Song of the New World" (1986). These books delve into a richly imagined fantasy world where humans and mythical creatures coexist. The series explores themes of love, identity, and the struggle for power in a complex political landscape. In addition to his writing, McCaig was also a pioneer in constructing the Lojban language, a planned artificial human language designed for precise communication. This project was a significant part of his life and intellectual pursuits. Donald McCaig's works continue to captivate readers with their intricate storytelling and thought-provoking themes. His legacy lives on in the realms of both literature and linguistics, inspiring both writers and linguists alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write it well."

This quote encourages us to seize each day with intention, as tomorrow represents a new opportunity for personal growth, achievement, or simply living life to the fullest. It's a reminder that every day offers fresh possibilities, and we have the power to shape our experiences positively by making thoughtful decisions and acting purposefully. In essence, it inspires us to write the best possible story of our lives one day at a time.


"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."

This quote emphasizes that although each day may have its challenges or difficulties, it is important to find a positive aspect within each day. It encourages the practice of seeking out something uplifting or meaningful, no matter how small, as a way to maintain optimism and resilience in life's journey.


"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."

This quote suggests that instead of waiting for difficulties or challenges (the storm) to disappear, we should learn to navigate through them with grace and resilience, just as one dances in the rain. It encourages a proactive approach to life's trials, emphasizing personal growth and enjoyment even amidst adversity.


"The best view comes after the hardest climb."

This quote by Donald McCaig emphasizes that significant accomplishments, often symbolized as a challenging climb, yield the most rewarding experiences or perspectives, metaphorically represented by the "best view" at the end. It suggests that personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery are byproducts of overcoming adversity and hardship, implying that the journey towards success is just as important as reaching its summit.


"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are built for."

The quote emphasizes that safety and comfort (the 'harbor') should not be the ultimate goals in life or endeavors, as those are the natural states where no progress can be made (a ship is safe in a harbor). Instead, the real purpose is growth, adventure, exploration, and progress (what ships are built for), which often involves leaving one's comfort zone and facing challenges.


It is the job of the dog trainer to summon the dog's genetics, not to impose man's will over dog's.

- Donald McCaig

Genetics, Over, Summon, Impose

Had we settled in Pennsylvania, there's no way I would have written a Confederate novel.

- Donald McCaig

Pennsylvania, Would, Settled, Confederate

Sheep may not be brilliant, but they know that sheep in pen is stage number one of lamb chops.

- Donald McCaig

Number, Brilliant, May, Chops

The events of the Civil War are so odd, ferocious, and poignant that fictional characters do well simply to inhabit them.

- Donald McCaig

War, Civil War, Ferocious, Fictional

If you don't have work for a border collie or time to train it properly, your bright young border collie will invent his own work, and chances are you won't like it.

- Donald McCaig

Young, Will, Border, Chances

Border collies were trained in Scotland. They have the Scots' commands in their genes. At the dog trials, the owners wear those three-piece western suits, cowboy boots and 10-gallon hats, but they carry Scots shepherd's crooks over their arms and talk to their dogs in Scots accents.

- Donald McCaig

Hats, Wear, Trained, Shepherd

Research is the historical novelist's map, constraint, and purest energy.

- Donald McCaig

Historical, Constraint, Map

I had been saying to myself for a good many years that I was really a writer and that I was in advertising temporarily.

- Donald McCaig

Myself, Been, Had, Temporarily

When people say what is 'Gone With the Wind' about, they say it's a love story between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. But Mammy is almost a third party.

- Donald McCaig

Love, Love Story, Almost, Butler

Rhett Butler is very mysterious. He disappears, he reappears, God knows where he goes. We know nothing about his family to speak of.

- Donald McCaig

Nothing, Goes, Very, Butler

That we have altered the dog genetically is well understood; it is hardly known how they changed us.

- Donald McCaig

How, Well, Known, Hardly

A young dog's faith is absolute... Dogs are notorious for hope. Dogs believe that this morning, this very morning, may begin a day of fascination, easily grander than any day in the past.

- Donald McCaig

In The Past, Very, Notorious, Grander

I do not believe you can work with animals - certainly you cannot train them - without deciding that if humans have souls, dogs do, too.

- Donald McCaig

Work, Souls, Certainly, Train

You have to train a dog to think.

- Donald McCaig

Dog, Think, You, Train

Since dogs could hear and smell better than men, we could concentrate on sight. Since courage is commonplace in dogs, men's adrenal glands could shrink. Dogs, by making us more efficient predators, gave us time to think. In short, dogs civilized us.

- Donald McCaig

Smell, Civilized, Glands, Concentrate

I am built funny. Picture Mark Twain's head on Ichabod Crane's body. Now hold your mental picture to the light and crumple it.

- Donald McCaig

Mental, Your, Built, Twain

Border collies predate the British Kennel Club. They've been bred consistently for 100 years. They're the last working dogs in the world, with some minor exceptions. Bench shows, dog shows have ruined the other breeds, like the hunting dogs. Border collies are peasant dogs, and that's protected them.

- Donald McCaig

Peasant, Some, Bred, Ruined

If you get a dog that goes out there and bumps the sheep, comes on too hard, the sheep don't trust him.

- Donald McCaig

Trust, Goes, Bumps, Sheep

Once they become AKC registered, the newspapers will become flooded with ads for them. And you'll see Border collies in pet stores and animal shelters.

- Donald McCaig

Will, Border, Stores, Shelters

Though each trainer believes his or her method is best, I don't think it matters which method the pet owner adopts so long as that owner finds a capable mentor and sticks with the training. Eventually you will learn to see your dog, and when that happens, the richness of your and your dog's lives will tell you what to do next.

- Donald McCaig

Mentor, Next, Tell, Sticks

In life, sometimes it pays off when you really don't give a damn.

- Donald McCaig

Give, Sometimes, Damn, Pays

I'm out of the terse Hemingway school.

- Donald McCaig

School, Out, Hemingway

I don't care to read about Garrison Keillor. We cover the same sort of territory, and I don't need to know anything more about him.

- Donald McCaig

More, Need, Read, Territory

A sheepdog trial is the most difficult test of a man and dog ever devised.

- Donald McCaig

Test, Most, Ever, Trial

What we didn't realize then - and one of the many things Timothy Leary was wrong about - is that when you drop out, you inevitably also drop in.

- Donald McCaig

Drop, About, Also, Inevitably

The Civil War has a tremendous moral and emotional force.

- Donald McCaig

War, Emotional, Civil War, Civil

Driving alone, you can make 800 miles a day.

- Donald McCaig

Day, Alone, Make, Driving

The majority of border collie owners and breeders don't want to have anything to do with the show ring.

- Donald McCaig

Ring, Want, Border, Majority

I'd rather talk about dogs than about me.

- Donald McCaig

Rather, Than, About, Dogs

I am no historian but have tried to stick tight to the facts.

- Donald McCaig

I Am, Tried, Historian, Tight

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