John Hersey Quotes

Powerful John Hersey for Daily Growth

About John Hersey

John Hersey (1914-1993) was an influential American journalist and novelist, best known for his compelling narrative nonfiction works. Born on July 18, 1914, in Tynset, Norway, to American parents, Hersey spent much of his childhood traveling due to his father's diplomatic postings. This itinerant upbringing contributed significantly to his empathetic understanding of diverse cultures and peoples. Hersey's literary career began in earnest at Yale University, where he studied under the renowned critic and writer, William Lyon Phelps. Upon graduating in 1935, Hersey briefly worked as a schoolteacher before joining Time Inc., where he honed his skills as an investigative journalist. In 1940, Hersey published his first book, "A Bell for Adano," a novel set in World War II-torn Italy. The novel was met with critical acclaim and earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1945. His next work, "Into the Valley" (1948), further showcased his ability to write compelling, humanizing narratives about war. However, it was Hersey's groundbreaking piece, "Hiroshima," published in the August 31, 1946, issue of The New Yorker, that cemented his reputation as a master storyteller. This powerful work of journalism followed the stories of six survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the human toll of nuclear warfare. For this work, Hersey received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1946. Throughout his career, Hersey continued to explore themes of war, peace, and humanity's capacity for both destruction and redemption. His final major work, "The Wall" (1984), chronicled the construction of the Berlin Wall and its impact on those who lived near it. John Hersey passed away on March 24, 1993, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy.' They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life."

This quote by John Hersey implies that happiness is not something that can be attained through a specific career or material possessions; rather, it should be considered as the ultimate goal of life itself. Hersey suggests that traditional educational systems may overlook this fundamental truth about human fulfillment, focusing instead on academic achievements and future careers. The anecdote indicates that Hersey's mother had a more profound understanding of what truly matters in life – happiness – even though it might not fit into the conventional expectations set by society or educational institutions.

"Man is a product of circumstances mainly outside his control."

This quote by John Hersey emphasizes the idea that human nature and destiny are significantly influenced by external factors beyond an individual's control, such as societal conditions, geography, historical events, or even random chance. It suggests that while humans possess agency to some degree, our lives are often determined more by circumstances we didn't choose or have direct influence over. This perspective can encourage empathy, understanding, and humility, as it underscores the impact of systemic forces on personal outcomes.

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end might just be the beginning."

This quote suggests that any situation or destination one encounters in life, no matter how seemingly final or conclusive, could merely be the start of something new. It encourages perseverance, as it implies that there's always more to explore and discover, even when we think we have reached the end. It is a reminder that life is cyclical, and what appears to be an ending might actually lead to a fresh beginning.

"There is no such thing as uncontaminated human nature, and man's solitary course through life has always been an illusion."

This quote by John Hersey suggests that there is no pure or untainted version of human nature; rather, our inherent qualities are shaped by various environmental factors, experiences, and societal influences throughout our lives. The idea of a 'solitary course through life' implies an individual's existence as isolated from others, but the quote asserts that such isolation is illusory. Instead, humans are profoundly interconnected with each other, and the choices and actions of one person can influence others in complex ways. In essence, Hersey's quote invites us to recognize the importance of understanding our shared humanity and the role that connections play in shaping who we are as individuals.

"In the deepest part of every man, there is a stubborn heart."

This quote by John Hersey suggests that within each person lies an inherent, resilient spirit - a 'stubborn heart' - that persists despite adversities or challenges. It underscores the human capacity for endurance, determination, and resilience in the face of life's difficulties. The idea is that this inner strength is not easily swayed and serves as a foundation for individual growth and perseverance.

It's a failure of national vision when you regard children as weapons, and talents as materials you can mine, assay, and fabricate for profit and defense.

- John Hersey

Children, Vision, Mine, Materials

Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it.

- John Hersey

Fiction, Witness, Readers

And, as if nature were protecting man against his own ingenuity, the reproductive processes were affected for a time; men became sterile, women had miscarriages, menstruation stopped.

- John Hersey

Protecting, Became, Stopped, Sterile

Many people who did not die right away came down with nausea, headache, diarrhea, malaise, and fever, which lasted several days. Doctors could not be certain whether some of these symptoms were the result of radiation or nervous shock.

- John Hersey

Die, Some, Away, Headache

The doctors realized in retrospect that even though most of these dead had also suffered from burns and blast effects, they had absorbed enough radiation to kill them. The rays simply destroyed body cells - caused their nuclei to degenerate and broke their walls.

- John Hersey

Body, Dead, Had, Blast

What has kept the world safe from the bomb since 1945 has not been deterrence, in the sense of fear of specific weapons, so much as it's been memory. The memory of what happened at Hiroshima.

- John Hersey

Memory, Sense, Been, Weapons

The third stage was the reaction that came when the body struggled to compensate for its ills - when, for instance, the white count not only returned to normal but increased to much higher than normal levels.

- John Hersey

Normal, Reaction, Instance, Levels

The second stage set in ten or fifteen days after the bombing. Its first symptom was falling hair. Diarrhea and fever, which in some cases went as high as 106, came next.

- John Hersey

Next, Fifteen, Which, Diarrhea

The first stage had been all over before the doctors even knew they were dealing with a new sickness; it was the direct reaction to the bombardment of the body, at the moment when the bomb went off, by neutrons, beta particles, and gamma rays.

- John Hersey

Been, Before, Direct, Beta

All morning they watched for the plane which they thought would be looking for them. They cursed war in general and PTs in particular. At about ten o'clock the hulk heaved a moist sigh and turned turtle.

- John Hersey

Sigh, Plane, Which, Particular

Learning starts with failure; the first failure is the beginning of education.

- John Hersey

Education, Beginning, Starts

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