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Janet Flanner Quotes

Powerful Janet Flanner for Daily Growth

About Janet Flanner

Janet Flanner (October 14, 1892 – January 16, 1978) was an American journalist, essayist, and author, best known for her dispatches from Paris under the pen name Genêt. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Flanner moved to New York City after completing her education at Vassar College, where she studied English literature. Flanner's professional career began in 1925 when she joined The New Yorker magazine as a staff writer. From 1927 to 1975, she penned the "Letters from Paris" column, offering incisive and often humorous commentary on French culture, politics, and society during some of its most turbulent times. Flanner's writings were heavily influenced by her experiences living in Europe, particularly France. She was a contemporary of famous expatriates such as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Flanner's work captured the essence of Parisian life, with a distinctive style that combined vivid descriptions of the city's scenes and personalities with astute social and political analysis. One of her most notable works is "Paris Was Yesterday" (1932), a collection of essays chronicling the 1920s in Paris. Other major works include "The Description of France: The French Character, a Sketch" (1946) and "A Rooster's Year: A Genêt Diary" (1958). Flanner's work was praised for its wit, insight, and ability to capture the spirit of Paris. Her contributions to journalism and literature earned her numerous accolades, including the Overseas Press Club Award in 1960 for her coverage of post-war Europe. Despite her success, Flanner remained a private figure, eschewing the limelight that other expatriates embraced. Janet Flanner's legacy as one of the most respected and influential American journalists of the 20th century continues to endure, with her works remaining relevant and captivating to readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Paris is a moveable feast."

Paris, as depicted in this quote by Janet Flanner, symbolizes an ever-evolving and timeless source of inspiration. It's not confined to a fixed location or moment, but instead, it moves with the shifting tides of culture, art, and human experience. For many, immersing oneself in Paris is like indulging in a continuous banquet of creative ideas that can nourish the soul and feed the mind. In essence, Paris serves as a feast for the senses and the intellect, an experience that's continually evolving, making it worth revisiting again and again.

"An American is someone who can't speak French but lives in Paris anyway."

This quote by Janet Flanner humorously implies that an "American" is not defined by linguistic or geographical boundaries, but rather by one's willingness to embrace and live in a foreign environment despite language barriers – specifically, the decision to reside in Paris as an English speaker. It serves as a reflection of adventurous spirit, cultural curiosity, and a global mindset that is characteristic of many Americans.

"The essence of style is a good appearance; the essence of good appearance is correct proportions."

This quote suggests that a well-developed sense of style is characterized by an appropriate and balanced arrangement of elements, resulting in a visually pleasing appearance. In other words, having good style means using items that fit well together and being mindful of the proportions between different parts of your overall look, leading to a harmonious and aesthetically satisfying image.

"We are all foreigners here, even the Parisians."

This quote suggests that despite one's birthplace or long-term residency, everyone is ultimately an outsider or foreigner in some sense. It underscores the universal human experience of feeling out of place, or different, within a society. Even native Parisians, who may have deep roots and connections to the city, can still feel like strangers when faced with change or unfamiliarity. This quote encourages empathy and understanding among people, reminding us that we all share the commonality of being outsiders at times.

"To live in another country will forever expand the measure of one's humanity."

This quote emphasizes that experiencing life in a foreign culture broadens one's understanding of humanity. Living in a different country exposes individuals to diverse values, beliefs, customs, and perspectives, fostering empathy, tolerance, and global awareness. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate surroundings and embrace the interconnectedness of all people worldwide.

When you look at the startling ruins of Nuremberg, you are looking at a result of the war. When you look at the prisoners on view in the courthouse, you are looking at 22 of the causes.

- Janet Flanner

War, Look, Prisoners, Ruins

I act as a sponge. I soak it up and squeeze it out in ink every two weeks.

- Janet Flanner

Act, Sponge, Squeeze, Two Weeks

By jove, no wonder women don't love war nor understand it, nor can operate in it as a rule; it takes a man to suffer what other men have invented.

- Janet Flanner

Love, Other, No Wonder, Invented

She was built for crowds. She has never come any closer to life than the dinner table.

- Janet Flanner

She, Never, Dinner Table, Closer

Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.

- Janet Flanner

Time, Talent, Genius, Immediate

I keep going over a sentence. I nag it, gnaw it, pat and flatter it.

- Janet Flanner

Over, Sentence, Pat, Gnaw

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