Jim Coleman Quotes

Powerful Jim Coleman for Daily Growth

About Jim Coleman

Jim Coleman, an esteemed American author, was born on August 31, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised in a working-class family, Coleman's early years were marked by the grit and resilience of his community, influences that would later permeate his poignant works. Coleman attended Southern Illinois University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in English and went on to obtain his Master's from the University of Chicago. His academic background allowed him to weave intricate narratives and profound themes into his literary works. In 1975, Coleman published his first novel, "What Happened to Willie," a powerful exploration of urban poverty and the struggles of the African American community. This seminal work brought him widespread recognition and established him as a significant voice in contemporary American literature. Coleman's second novel, "Wanderers," was published in 1976. The story follows a group of Chicago street gang members, reflecting Coleman's deep understanding of the urban landscape and its inhabitants. Throughout his career, Coleman's work has been characterized by its raw honesty, emotional depth, and unflinching portrayal of the human condition. He has been praised for his ability to capture the complexities of urban life and the struggles faced by those living on society's margins. In addition to his novels, Coleman has also written essays, short stories, and plays. His work continues to resonate with readers, offering a profound exploration of the human spirit and the challenges we face in our pursuit of a better life. Jim Coleman passed away on April 20, 1990, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and move generations of readers. His novels serve as poignant reminders of the power of literature to illuminate our shared experiences and foster empathy and understanding.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest gift you can give your children is a healthy marriage."

The quote emphasizes that the most valuable gift parents can bestow upon their children is a strong, healthy marriage. This doesn't merely refer to the presence of two individuals in matrimony but encompasses a loving, stable, and harmonious relationship. A healthy marriage sets an example of cooperation, respect, understanding, and unconditional love for the next generation. Children learn important life skills and values from observing their parents' interactions and the dynamics of their marriage, such as conflict resolution, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. Consequently, these lessons can help them build successful relationships in their own lives.


"A good marriage cannot be built on borrowed love."

This quote by Jim Coleman suggests that a successful, lasting marriage should not rely on external or temporary feelings (borrowed love), but rather on genuine, deep, and enduring affection that is built over time through mutual respect, understanding, and commitment between partners. Borrowed love implies love that comes from someone else, such as parental pressure or societal expectations, which may not be sustainable or strong enough to withstand the challenges of a long-term relationship. Instead, a good marriage should be founded on authentic love that grows naturally between two individuals who choose each other and invest in their relationship over time.


"Love is not merely a feeling; it is a decision."

Jim Coleman's quote "Love is not merely a feeling; it is a decision" highlights that love transcends fleeting emotions and requires commitment, intentionality, and choice. It suggests that true love isn't solely dependent on romantic feelings but rather involves a conscious effort to prioritize and invest in the relationship over time. This perspective encourages individuals to make an active choice to build, nurture, and sustain their love, recognizing that feelings can fluctuate, but the decision to love remains steadfast.


"The quality of any marriage is determined by the quality of communication between husband and wife."

This quote emphasizes that the success or happiness of a marriage depends primarily on the quality and effectiveness of the communication between the partners. It suggests that open, honest, and respectful conversations can foster understanding, trust, and emotional connection in a relationship – key elements for a fulfilling marital bond. Poor communication, on the other hand, may lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and eventually, relationship problems. In essence, the quote underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in marriage as a crucial factor contributing to its overall health and longevity.


"If you want your marriage to last, build a friendship in it first."

This quote emphasizes that a strong, lasting marriage is built on the foundation of a deep friendship. In other words, if partners focus on nurturing a close, supportive relationship with each other similar to that of friends, their bond will become stronger and more resilient over time, making their marriage more likely to endure challenges. This friendship aspect helps them develop mutual understanding, trust, respect, and shared experiences, all critical elements for maintaining a long-lasting and fulfilling partnership.


But that's something that I like about scoring film: it makes me reach out of the parameters of my self, it requires me to do things musically that I wouldn't normally do left to my own devices.

- Jim Coleman

Like, Devices, Scoring, My Self

First, I'm trying to edit down about 7 hours of material which I made prior to the Cop days and find some way to get it out. This stuff is pretty out there, mostly sonic collages and tape manipulations.

- Jim Coleman

Some, Cop, Mostly, Sonic

As a kid, I used to go see all the jazz players, Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespe.

- Jim Coleman

Jazz, Dave, Oscar, Stan

I'm from all over the Northeast.

- Jim Coleman

Over, Northeast

I've had a lot of highs in my life and a lot of lows, some pivotal experiences, and in ways I feel like I've already lived a couple of lives.

- Jim Coleman

My Life, Some, Couple, Highs

I do remember being in high school and trying to go to an Outlaws concert, but I was too drunk and ended up in trouble with the police at some truck stop on 95 in Connecticut.

- Jim Coleman

Truck, Go, Some, Connecticut

I grew up outside of DC, New York state, and Connecticut.

- Jim Coleman

New York, New, Outside, Connecticut

But Contra la Puerta was done mostly in the opposite way, starting with sounds and melodies.

- Jim Coleman

Melodies, Mostly, Sounds, La

When I recorded Contra la Puerta, I never really thought out doing the material live. Mostly because I haven't really seen any electronic music performed live in an interesting way.

- Jim Coleman

Thought, Doing, Mostly, La

I think that one of the strengths of Cop Shoot Cop lay in the different, and at times, clashing personalities, Ideally, I want to have both ways of working in my life.

- Jim Coleman

My Life, Think, I Think, Both Ways

I don't think I really know just how cool Satan really was when I was in Junior High School. Now, thanks to Marilyn Manson, it's no longer a secret.

- Jim Coleman

Cool, Think, Secret, None

So, through playing with Cop I realized that there is a potentially interested audience out in the world.

- Jim Coleman

World, Audience, Through, Potentially

I guess professionally it began when Hal Hartley used some music of mine in his film The Unbelievable Truth.

- Jim Coleman

Some, Unbelievable, Mine, Hal

Then I took 8 years of French Horn, first jazz, and then classical.

- Jim Coleman

Jazz, Horn, Took, French

Yes, I was forced to take piano lessons for 8 years as a child.

- Jim Coleman

Piano, Take, Piano Lessons, Lessons

And I definitely have an affinity with the piano.

- Jim Coleman

Piano, Definitely, Affinity

With Frat House, at times I needed to make music that would reflect what these fraternity brothers might actually listen to, but still keep it within the realm of a score; it still had to lead the viewer through the scene, or just help create the mood.

- Jim Coleman

Mood, Through, Viewer, Fraternity

Also, differences of opinion can be creatively stimulating as well as frustrating.

- Jim Coleman

Differences, Stimulating, Creatively

For electronica music, David Linton has been doing this series called Unity Gain, which is pretty cool.

- Jim Coleman

Doing, Been, Which, Electronica

I actually went to film school and was making experimental films for a short time, so it wasn't such a leap.

- Jim Coleman

Making, Films, Film School, Leap

Unfortunately, however, I have too many desires to make a good Buddhist.

- Jim Coleman

Desires, However, Too, Unfortunately

And I don't know where I'm heading. I mean, I've got a pretty good idea of what I want in life.

- Jim Coleman

Pretty, Idea, Heading, Pretty Good

But in my college years it got to the point where my friends and I didn't do anything without consuming a massive amount of alcohol before we went anywhere or did anything, and you know that.

- Jim Coleman

Alcohol, College, Amount, Massive

But things can happen in a band, or any type of collaboration, that would not otherwise happen.

- Jim Coleman

Happen, Otherwise, Would, Collaboration

And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.

- Jim Coleman

Working, Parts, Than, Sum

I like to think that my finest hour is still ahead of me, so I can look forward rather than look backward.

- Jim Coleman

Think, Like, Still, Finest

If the finest hour is now, then I'll always be in it.

- Jim Coleman

Now, Always, Hour, Finest

And I think that I'd be a natural for scoring horror movies.

- Jim Coleman

Movies, Think, Scoring, Horror Movies

In scoring, I usually start with a sound or group of sounds, searching out what feels right.

- Jim Coleman

Feels, Scoring, Sounds, Searching

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