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Gary Paulsen Quotes

Powerful Gary Paulsen for Daily Growth

About Gary Paulsen

Gary Paulsen (born March 17, 1939) is an American writer, best known for his novels about survival and the great outdoors. Born in New York City, he spent much of his childhood moving around due to his father's military career, which instilled in him a deep love for nature and adventure. In his teenage years, Paulsen faced numerous hardships, including homelessness and dropping out of school at age 16. He found solace in the wilderness, working as a woodsman and guide in upstate New York and Maine. These experiences served as the foundation for many of his later works. Paulsen's first book, "The Tent Dwellers" (1967), was a semi-autobiographical account of his teenage years. However, it was the publication of "Hatchet" in 1987 that brought him widespread recognition. The novel follows Brian Robeson, a 13-year-old boy who survives alone in the wilderness after a plane crash. It is one of Paulsen's most celebrated works and has inspired numerous adaptations. Other notable works by Paulsen include "My Side of the Mountain" (1959), about a young boy who runs away to live with eagles in the Catskill Mountains, and the Brian Robeson series, which continues the story from "Hatchet." Paulsen's writing often reflects his love for nature and survival, drawing on his own experiences. He has been awarded numerous literary prizes, including a Newbery Honor for "Brian's Winter" (1992). Despite facing many challenges in his life, Paulsen's resilience and adventurous spirit shine through in his work, inspiring readers to appreciate the power of nature and the strength of human determination.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Courage is having the right sense of proportion. Courage is being afraid but having to do it anyway."

This quote suggests that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather acting despite one's fears, with an understanding that there are situations where fear or apprehension is warranted, yet still choosing to move forward. It emphasizes that having the "right sense of proportion" means acknowledging fear as a natural response, but not letting it dictate one's actions or decisions excessively. Instead, it encourages us to face our fears when necessary, and find the strength within ourselves to take action anyway.

"The real magic in life is being aware enough to see it."

This quote suggests that the true wonder and enchantment in life lie not in fantastical or supernatural events, but rather in our ability to observe and appreciate the ordinary moments with clarity and mindfulness. By being fully aware of our surroundings and experiences, we open ourselves up to a deeper understanding and appreciation of life. This heightened awareness can transform the mundane into the magical, making life richer and more meaningful.

"Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-discovery, exploration, the unknown - shuns safety and comfort."

This quote by Gary Paulsen emphasizes that true adventure lies in stepping outside one's comfort zone to discover oneself, explore new places, and embrace the unknown. It suggests that a life full of adventure is not about seeking safety and comfort but rather about pushing boundaries, challenging oneself, and growing through experiences.

"Don't tell big stories if you're going to have little adventures."

This quote by Gary Paulsen suggests that one's experiences or "adventures" should match the scale of their narratives or "stories". If your tales are grandiose, they should be backed up by significant events or accomplishments. In other words, don't exaggerate or fabricate stories beyond what you've truly experienced. Honesty and authenticity in storytelling lend credibility to one's adventures.

"The only real way to do it, is to not think about it or worry about it... just get up every morning and go to work."

This quote by Gary Paulsen emphasizes the importance of action over thought and worry in achieving one's goals. In essence, he suggests that instead of dwelling on the difficulties or complexities of a task, it's more productive to simply start working on it each day without undue concern or anticipation. The implication is that consistent effort and perseverance will lead to progress and success over time.

I don't have a favorite author; I have favorite books. 'Moby Dick' is a favorite book, but Melville was a drunk who beat his wife. 'Moveable Feast' by Hemingway, but I would not like him personally. He was a stupid macho person who believed in shooting animals for fun, but that book was incredible!

- Gary Paulsen

Book, Stupid, Shooting, Moby

Look at Inuit clothing. Their stuff still works better than Cabela's. I've made my own parkas, mukluks, footgear, and it is good to 60 degrees below zero. All I did was copy the patterns that came down from the Inuits.

- Gary Paulsen

Good, Own, Works, Clothing

I'm a teller of stories. I put bloody skins on my back and dance around the fire, and I say what the hunt was like. It's not erudite; it's not intellectual. I sail, run dogs, ride horses, play professional poker, and tell stories about the stuff I've been through. And I'm still a romantic; I still want Bambi to make it out of the fire.

- Gary Paulsen

Play, Through, Been, Bambi

I sail, run dogs, ride horses, play professional poker and tell stories about the stuff I've been through. And I'm still a romantic; I still want Bambi to make it out of the fire.

- Gary Paulsen

Play, Through, Been, Bambi

Years ago, when I was writing westerns, other writers who were friends of mine wanted me to collaborate with them. And it just didn't work.

- Gary Paulsen

Work, Other, Mine, Collaborate

You're never the same after you run the Iditarod, and I still lust to go out and run with dogs, even though I know that I shouldn't. But I'd give just about anything to be able to do it again. To see the horizon again from the back of a dog team would be wonderful.

- Gary Paulsen

Run, Back, About, Lust

Name the book that made the biggest impression on you. I bet you read it before you hit puberty. In the time I've got left, I intend to write artistic books - for kids - because they're still open to new ideas.

- Gary Paulsen

Book, Before, Got, Intend

Yes, I've been in an igloo. They're surprisingly cozy and warm - small, though, you can't really stand up in some.

- Gary Paulsen

Small, Some, Been, Surprisingly

Adults are locked into car payments and divorces and work. They haven't got time to think fresh.

- Gary Paulsen

Work, Think, Payments, Locked

My parents were brutal to each other, so I slept in the basement by an old coal-fired furnace. I became a street kid. Occasionally, I'd live with aunts or uncles, then I'd run away to live in the woods, trapping and hunting game to survive. The wilderness pulled at me; still does.

- Gary Paulsen

Other, Basement, Became, Aunts

Humans are the big thing that cause damage in life - in war or whatever - and if I can get away from that and into a wilderness situation, I'm OK. You can more or less live on your own merit.

- Gary Paulsen

Big, Away, Damage, OK

A border collie saved me once when I was pinned under a horse in Colorado. And once when I went through the ice, one of my sled dogs saw me go under, and she got the rest of the team, and they pulled me out of 12 feet of water. I think that dogs offer the only form of unconditional love that's available to humans.

- Gary Paulsen

Love, Feet, Through, Unconditional

I ran the Iditarod twice. I finished once. I came in 42nd or 43rd place out of 70 plus teams the first time, and I scratched 80 miles from Nome the second time. You can read about my experience in the race in my books 'Woodsong' and 'Winterdance.'

- Gary Paulsen

Experience, Out, About, Ran

I think that what computers have done is just disastrous to the language.

- Gary Paulsen

Language, Think, I Think, Disastrous

I was raised on farms by people who didn't have Wal-Mart. They had to make their own sleds, harnesses, clothing, etc.

- Gary Paulsen

Own, Raised, Wal-Mart, Farms

I have a pickup truck. And I prefer to be with dogs or on my sailboat than in a car - actually, more than any other place on Earth.

- Gary Paulsen

Other, Sailboat, Prefer, Pickup

The maximum expression of running dogs is the Iditarod. You enter a state of primitive exaltation, and you never return. You're never normal again.

- Gary Paulsen

Normal, Expression, Again, Enter

School didn't work for me. I hated it.

- Gary Paulsen

Work, School, Me, Hated

In sailing, I single-hand, and I want to do the Horn. The Horn is the maximum expression of sailing, the way the Iditarod is the maximum expression of running dogs. It's not to write about it; it's to experience the maximum thing.

- Gary Paulsen

Want, Expression, About, Sailing

My folks were drunks, and I had a rough childhood - really rough - in fact, rougher than I thought about.

- Gary Paulsen

Childhood, Fact, Rough, Folks

In our family, we've always been owned by border collies, or dogs of one kind or another, and have rescued many dogs. We've lived in the woods and sometimes have had as many as 70 sled dogs. Or had six or seven dogs living in the house. Dogs have saved my life on more than one occasion - and I mean that literally.

- Gary Paulsen

My Life, Occasion, Been, Owned

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