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Irving Stone Quotes

Powerful Irving Stone for Daily Growth

About Irving Stone

Irving Stone (1903-1989) was an American novelist renowned for his meticulously researched historical novels that brought to life some of history's most intriguing figures. Born on December 24, 1903, in San Francisco, California, to Jewish immigrant parents, Stone's early life was marked by hardship and struggle. However, this upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for the power of the human spirit and an insatiable curiosity about history and people. Stone attended Stanford University, where he studied chemistry but soon shifted his focus to journalism. After graduating, he worked as a reporter for several newspapers before turning to fiction writing. His first novel, "The President's Vagabond" (1935), was moderately successful, but it was his second novel, "Lust for Life" (1934), that truly launched his career. This biographical novel about Vincent van Gogh became a best-seller and was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film starring Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. Stone's most significant works include "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1961), a novel about Michelangelo, which was also made into a film; and "Man and Boy" (1945), a semi-autobiographical novel about a father and son's relationship. Throughout his career, Stone was driven by a desire to create vivid portrayals of historical figures, immersing himself in research for each novel. His commitment to accuracy and depth earned him critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Irving Stone passed away on July 21, 1989, leaving behind a legacy of compelling and historically significant literature. Key Quotes: 1. "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Reflecting Stone's appreciation for the power of art in human lives. 2. "History is not something that happens somewhere else; it is what all of us do together." - Emphasizing Stone's belief in the importance of understanding history and its impact on our collective future.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."

This quote emphasizes the importance of reading, suggesting that individuals who do not engage with quality literature have no inherent advantage over those who are unable to read at all. In other words, reading beneficial literature can provide an intellectual edge in life. The quote underscores that education through books is a powerful tool for personal growth and development.

"The greater a man's virtues, the greater his frailties."

This quote underscores that exceptional individuals often possess both remarkable strengths (virtues) and significant weaknesses or flaws (frailties). The greater the influence or achievement of an individual, the more complex they become, embodying a spectrum of qualities – not just positive ones but also those that may lead to their downfall. This complexity makes them intriguing, human, and relatable.

"Genius is never without some madness."

This quote suggests that exceptional intelligence or talent often coexists with unconventional, unorthodox, or eccentric behavior. The term "madness" here does not necessarily imply mental illness but rather refers to a departure from societal norms or accepted ways of thinking. It implies that those who think differently and push the boundaries of conventional wisdom may be considered "mad" by some, yet it is their genius that ultimately makes them stand out.

"Man is not shaped by environment alone; he shapes it as well."

This quote by Irving Stone signifies that humans don't just passively respond to their surroundings; instead, they actively engage in shaping their environment. It underscores the power of human agency and creativity in molding their living spaces, societies, and even the world at large. It suggests a reciprocal relationship between humans and their environments, where both are influenced by each other constantly.

"It is in our idleness that we sometimes see into the depths of life more clearly than when we are active."

This quote suggests that during periods of inactivity or quiet reflection, one might gain a deeper understanding of life's complexities compared to times filled with activity. Idleness allows us to take a step back from the hustle-bustle of daily life and look within, fostering introspection that can lead to insights about oneself and the world around us. It encourages the idea of embracing quiet moments for personal growth and clarity.

I slept in van Gogh's bed. I worked in the room where he painted. I saw the place where he was cared for when he cut off his ear. I lived in the jail cell where he stayed. And I looked out the window. You remember that picture of the cornfields through the bars? That was what I saw.

- Irving Stone

Bed, Through, Cut, Bars

I came down successfully through Picasso and Braque, down through Pollock, I guess, but I began to stop at Franz Kline and the Abstractionists. I like their design, brilliant design, marvelous color layers. But I don't find any human content there. I'm from an old school, and painting has to have human content for me.

- Irving Stone

Color, Down, Through, Old School

Even if there is endless documentation, it would be impossible to know what a man thought inside his own mind... This is where the novelist's creative imagination has to take over.

- Irving Stone

Mind, Thought, Over, Novelist

The biographical novel is a true and documented story of one human being's journey across the face of the years, transmuted from the raw material of life into the delight and purity of an authentic art form.

- Irving Stone

Purity, Years, Raw Material, Documented

In the biographical novel, there's only one person involved. I, the author, spend two to five years becoming the main character. I do that so by the time you get to the bottom of Page 2 or 3, you forget your name, where you live, your profession and the year it is. You become the main character of the book. You live the book.

- Irving Stone

Year, Becoming, By The Time, Main Character

I spend several years trying to get inside the brain and heart of my subjects, listening to the interior monologues in their letters, and when I have to bridge the chasms between the factual evidence, I try to make an intuitive leap through the eyes and motivation of the person I'm writing about.

- Irving Stone

Through, Evidence, Several, Monologues

My goal always is to tell a universal story, meaning it's about a person who has an idea, a vision, a dream, an ambition to make the world somewhat less chaotic.

- Irving Stone

Goal, Always, Idea, Chaotic

I thought art was dead rabbits hanging by their feet on a wall. I went to Italy and saw all the religious paintings, and they didn't move me all that much. Then someone invited me to see this van Gogh exhibit at the Rosenberg Gallery in San Francisco.

- Irving Stone

Feet, Religious, Francisco, Exhibit

There's nothing romantic about my work... I don't believe in inspiration. I believe that you get to your desk, you stay there, you work, you think of nothing else. You write and you write, and in the end, you write something good.

- Irving Stone

Believe, Inspiration, About, In The End

My books are based 98 percent on documentary evidence.

- Irving Stone

Evidence, Books, Based, Documentary

Strange story about Degas. He hated women, didn't want to be with them. Yet he spent much of his life painting them. He had seen his father maltreat his mother, must have had a deep fear that he'd do the same thing.

- Irving Stone

Father, Deep, Same Thing, Hated

The biographical novel sets out to document this truth, for character is plot, character development is action, and character fulfillment is resolution.

- Irving Stone

Development, Sets, Document, Fulfillment

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