John Hawkes Quotes

Powerful John Hawkes for Daily Growth

About John Hawkes

John Hawkes (1925-2019) was an accomplished American novelist, short story writer, playwright, and filmmaker whose career spanned over six decades. Born on October 8, 1925, in Portland, Maine, he grew up in a creative family that instilled in him a love for literature and the arts. After serving in World War II, Hawkes attended Bates College and later Columbia University's School of General Studies. Influenced by authors such as D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Henry Miller, Hawkes began publishing his work in the late 1940s. His debut novel, "The Lime Twig" (1946), a semi-autobiographical account of his adolescence, showcased his unique storytelling style that often explored dark themes and complex human relationships. One of Hawkes' most acclaimed works is the novel "The Beet Green Ball" (1950). The book, which explores the lives of several interconnected characters living in a small town, demonstrated his ability to delve deep into the psyche of his characters and portray the intricacies of human relationships. In 1960, Hawkes published "The Cannibal," a novel that further solidified his reputation as a bold and unconventional writer. The story follows a man who becomes obsessed with the idea of consuming another human being, reflecting Hawkes' interest in exploring taboo subjects and moral ambiguity. Throughout his career, Hawkes wrote numerous other novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays. He also directed several films, including "The Squeaker" (1970) and "The Savage" (1974). Despite facing criticism for his unorthodox subject matter and style, Hawkes' work has left a lasting impact on American literature. John Hawkes passed away on February 25, 2019, at the age of 93, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire readers and writers alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The truth is a beacon, and it will always find its way."

This quote suggests that truth is inherently powerful and self-revealing. Just as a beacon guides ships to safe harbor, so too does the truth guide people towards understanding and enlightenment. Regardless of any obstacles or distractions, the truth will eventually emerge and become clear, offering guidance and illumination. In essence, it implies that seeking and embracing the truth is an essential aspect of personal growth and the pursuit of knowledge.

"Fear is a liar that tells you there's no hope, but hope is the very thing that makes us human."

This quote emphasizes that fear often distorts our perception by convincing us there's no hope, but it's precisely hope that defines our humanity. Fear can instill a sense of powerlessness, making us believe in our own defeat, while hope represents our capacity to persevere, dream, and see beyond the immediate obstacles. It encourages us to keep trying despite adversity, reminding us that we have the resilience to overcome challenges and move forward.

"Life is a journey, not a destination. Cherish every moment, for each one is a precious gift."

This quote by John Hawkes emphasizes that life itself, not just its endpoints or achievements, holds value. It encourages appreciating and cherishing each moment because each moment is a unique, valuable experience. In essence, the journey (the process) of life should be enjoyed as much as the destination (the end result), for every step contributes to our overall growth and personal development.

"Happiness is not a destination, it's a way of traveling."

This quote suggests that happiness isn't something we find once we reach a certain point in life, but rather, it's an attitude or approach to our experiences as we journey through life. In other words, true happiness comes from the process of living - enjoying the journey itself, not just the destination. It encourages us to focus on savoring each moment and finding joy in every step we take, rather than always chasing after some future ideal.

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

This quote emphasizes personal agency and self-determination. It suggests that each individual has the power to shape their own future, free from predestination or external influences. Essentially, it means that our destinies are not fixed but rather malleable, depending on the choices we make about who we want to become. The focus is on personal growth, self-realization, and taking responsibility for shaping one's own life.

I do all kinds of roles - nerd, psycho, nerd, psycho, nerd, psycho - and occasionally someone kind of normal. It's weird, when I lived in Austin I was always cast as pretty normal people. But when I moved to Los Angeles I was immediately branded a psycho.

- John Hawkes

Normal People, Roles, Moved, Austin

I've never had any delusions about being a leading man, and it's not sour grapes to say that in the best films that I've always enjoyed, the cliched leading man type isn't a part of the picture.

- John Hawkes

Always, Leading, Films, Cliched

Even the small amount of infamy I have makes me uncomfortable - on a personal level and on a professional level.

- John Hawkes

Small, Amount, Even, Infamy

It's not like every director in every movie is seeking me out by any means, there are a lot of things I'm not suited for, a lot of things I'm not interested in, and a lot of things that directors wouldn't be interested in me for.

- John Hawkes

Movie, Like, Means, Suited

I'm just looking for the best story being told by the best people and the best part that I can find. If those things add up, I want to be a part of it whether it's a studio film or, more likely in that instance, an independent film.

- John Hawkes

Studio, Part, Instance, Just Looking

It's probably odd for someone to read an interview where the interviewee is worried about exposure while they're talking in an interview.

- John Hawkes

Talking, About, Read, Interview

It seems like every year Hollywood makes an attempt to retell the Manson story, and I just couldn't be less interested in it. It's not really our crowning achievement as a civilisation. I'm not saying it shouldn't be done, but it just bores me.

- John Hawkes

Achievement, Year, Hollywood, Civilisation

The only thing I do on a computer is play Texas Hold 'Em, really. Obviously my cell phone is a computer. My car is a computer. I'm on computers every day without actively seeking them out.

- John Hawkes

Play, Texas, The Only Thing, Actively

Starting in the mid-'80s, I played in a band called Meat Joy, and we made our own record, toured.

- John Hawkes

Own, Made, Played, Toured

I met Robert Rodriguez working on a movie called 'Roadracers.'

- John Hawkes

Working, Movie, Robert, Rodriguez

I went to a performance of 'The Crucible' at the Guthrie when I was a sophomore in high school, and I knew right away that that's what I wanted to do.

- John Hawkes

Away, Knew, Crucible, Right Away

As an actor, you don't often get a chance to know exactly the impact of what the audience is seeing, even though you can ask where the frame is. A move that feels tiny can be huge, and vice versa.

- John Hawkes

Audience, Move, Feels, Frame

I understand why people achieve a level of fame and disappear, I never understood it before, but it's an attractive prospect to walk away from it all.

- John Hawkes

Attractive, Away, Level, Understood

'The New York Times' thing... I think any actor would be thrilled to be profiled in that paper.

- John Hawkes

Think, New, I Think, Thrilled

As an actor you have to have a strong vivid imagination as you're working and when the camera's rolling, but there's certainly a part of you that is aware of real life, that you're making a movie.

- John Hawkes

Strong, Making, Certainly, Vivid

I guess you can say that every actor is a 'character actor' on some level. But I think some actors have a wider range. I think that's how you get that mantle.

- John Hawkes

Think, Some, Wider, Mantle

When I over-prepare, I try to let it all go and forget all about it when the camera rolls, so I can just be present with the other actors and allow what's going to happen to happen without too much preconception.

- John Hawkes

Other, Allow, About, Camera

When you're just starting out, and someone you think is a real storyteller says something good about you, that helps.

- John Hawkes

Think, Storyteller, About, Something Good

People have said unkind things and you kind of have to, if you happen to read it, you have to just, you know, move on.

- John Hawkes

Happen, Move, Read, Unkind

In the time between when you first read a script and are offered the role and the time when you begin to shoot, I really love putting in the time and work on that and getting a solid backstory to a character and researching all that I can about what that person does for a vocation or their upbringing or where they're from.

- John Hawkes

Love, Role, Putting, Shoot

When I realized that you can't necessarily be cast in a really great part living in Austin, even when Hollywood comes to town, I got a demo reel together and headed out west.

- John Hawkes

Living, Hollywood, Town, Demo

I maintain that if you're a novelist and you go into an art museum, you'll come out a better novelist. And if you paint a picture for an hour you're a better actor at the end of it.

- John Hawkes

Art, Maintain, Better Actor, Novelist

I don't have any training as an actor, but I guess I'm an intense pretender. When you read something over and over, it gets into you a little bit. You can't help but begin to feel it, even if you're a healthy person as I think I am.

- John Hawkes

Feel, Over It, I Think, Intense

I think we've all been misled, at moments in our lives, certainly in school situations, and things like that, with getting with the wrong group briefly, or falling in with someone who we learn the truth about and no longer want to really be with.

- John Hawkes

Been, I Think, About, Situations

When something gets attention so quickly, people sometimes will look for reasons to find fault and tear it down.

- John Hawkes

Will, Reasons, Quickly, Tear

Hitchhiking was such a pure form of existence. You'd wake up in the morning, and you'd have no idea what your day was going to be. And that's something I've never been able to shake. I loved that.

- John Hawkes

Going, Been, Shake, No Idea

There's a lot of skeletons in my closet!

- John Hawkes

Closet, Lot, Skeletons

Some friends of mine bothered me for a long time about getting on the social networking pages. They were close friends that I liked to mess with, and I think that I kind of enjoyed for a while that it bothered them so much. Now they've just kind of given up.

- John Hawkes

Some, Close Friends, I Think, Bothered

I'd said to my sweetheart a couple of days before that the SAG and Spirit Award nomination was amazing and I had no attachment to the Academy Award. I knew I was an underdog so I just decided to sleep through the announcement.

- John Hawkes

Through, Sweetheart, Couple, Attachment

I think that no matter how dark a person is, the more you learn about them, the more you understand about their life, the more you can sympathize with them or even root for them.

- John Hawkes

Think, I Think, Sympathize, Root

I have to be careful of what TV shows I choose, particularly ones that have commercials in them, because it's going to be a different kind of television show.

- John Hawkes

Be Careful, TV, Particularly, TV Shows

For the last 20 years of my life, I've had the mantra to do amazing parts with amazing people in amazing projects, so I'm attracted to good story, writing and character and good people. That's what I'm always searching for and I don't think that's ever going to change.

- John Hawkes

My Life, Good Story, Mantra, Amazing People

It's nice to sometimes get things out of life, rather than stealing from other artists. I'm trying to steal from the real people.

- John Hawkes

Other, Rather, Real People, Stealing

You don't really ever think you're that crazy person you're playing.

- John Hawkes

Think, Person, Ever, Crazy Person

If a musician wants to be an actor, everyone thinks that's pretty cool. But if an actor wants to play a song, even if they've been doing it for 40 years, that's bad news.

- John Hawkes

Song, Play, News, Musician

It's much more interesting to watch someone who is ill-equipped to solve their problem fight to solve their problem than wallow in the knowledge that they're ill-equipped to solve their problems.

- John Hawkes

Interesting, More, Wallow, Solve

My fear now is of cliche, of complacency, of not being able to feel authenticity in myself and those around me.

- John Hawkes

Myself, Complacency, Feel, Authenticity

Being a kid, as all kids do, you feel out of place or like kind of a freak. You wake up feeling like your head got put onto someone else's body that day.

- John Hawkes

Kid, Kind, Like, Onto

Part of the way that I work is to observe.

- John Hawkes

Work, Way, Part, Observe

Certainly I've had the experience of thinking a person was one thing, and finding out they were another.

- John Hawkes

Another, Had, Certainly, Finding

As an actor, I think a mistake that any storyteller can make is to play the ending.

- John Hawkes

Mistake, Play, Actor, Storyteller

I don't mean to be highfalutin about it, but I try to limit my visibility.

- John Hawkes

Mean, Limit, About, Visibility

For me and for I'm sure any actor, each role is a different challenge to prepare for in a different way.

- John Hawkes

Prepare, Actor, Sure, Different Way

I generally play strong people and scary people.

- John Hawkes

Strong, Play, Strong People, Scary

You never really forget who you are. If you did, you'd need to seek some professional help.

- John Hawkes

Need, Some, Seek, Professional

I don't really try to judge any character that I play, afterwards I figure it out, but while I'm working on the character, I have to find something in them to relate to.

- John Hawkes

Play, Afterwards, Figure, Judge

I lived in Texas for 10 years.

- John Hawkes

Years, Lived, Texas

It's hard to get concert tickets.

- John Hawkes

Concert, Hard, Get, Tickets

I think we're all mysteries to ourselves.

- John Hawkes

Think, I Think, Ourselves, Mysteries

It's tough being an actor making music, because even I have a knee-jerk reaction to that.

- John Hawkes

Music, Actor, Making, Reaction

If you're telling a story it's always best not to play the ending.

- John Hawkes

Play, Always, Telling, Ending

I want people to believe me when I play a part and they are less apt to if they know a lot about me and have associations about me.

- John Hawkes

Play, Want, Apt, Associations

I don't think there are in life, pure darkness or pure light. Everyone's got a little of everything.

- John Hawkes

Light, Think, Everyone, Pure

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