Jose Bergamin Quotes

Powerful Jose Bergamin for Daily Growth

About Jose Bergamin

Jose Bergamín (1895-1983) was a significant figure in Spanish literature of the early 20th century, known for his innovative prose style and exploration of existential themes. Born on October 7, 1895, in San Sebastián, Spain, he grew up in a literary family, which undoubtedly influenced his passion for writing. His father, Ricardo Bergamín y Rodríguez, was a journalist, essayist, and playwright, while his mother, Matilde Quintana, was a poet and novelist. Bergamín studied law at the University of Madrid but abandoned it to fully dedicate himself to literature. His literary career began in 1921 with the publication of "La carretera," a collection of short stories that showcased his distinctive narrative voice. The work was well-received, and Bergamín quickly gained recognition as a talented young writer. In the 1930s, during the Spanish Civil War, Bergamín was active in leftist circles and wrote extensively about the conflict's impact on society. His novel "Vientos de guerra" (Winds of War), published in 1937, is a powerful depiction of the war's destruction and human toll. Post-war, Bergamín continued to produce significant works, including "La taberna fantasía" (The Fantasy Tavern) and "El hombre de la cara lisa" (The Man with the Smooth Face). He was also a notable figure in the Madrid literary scene and had a profound influence on younger writers. Jose Bergamín's works are marked by their introspective nature, exploration of existential questions, and innovative narrative techniques. His writing has left a lasting impact on Spanish literature and continues to be studied and appreciated today. He passed away on November 28, 1983, leaving behind a rich literary legacy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"La pasión es la fuerza motriz de la vida." (Passion is the driving force of life.)

This quote by Jose Bergamin highlights the pivotal role that passion plays in our lives. It suggests that, just as a motor provides the necessary energy to move a vehicle forward, so does passion fuel our existence. The more deeply we are passionate about something - be it love, work, or any pursuit - the more vibrant and meaningful our life becomes. Passion not only propels us towards our goals but also infuses vitality into our days, giving them purpose and direction. In essence, passion is a fundamental force that drives human progress and fulfillment.


"El éxito no se mide por el número de obstáculos que debes superar, sino por la cantidad de veces que debes levantarte después de caer." (Success is not measured by the number of obstacles you have to overcome, but by the number of times that you rise after falling.)

This quote suggests that success isn't defined solely by the number of challenges one faces, but rather by one's resilience in getting back up after encountering those challenges. It emphasizes that it is not the absence of setbacks or obstacles, but rather one's ability to persist and continue moving forward despite them, that truly defines success.


"La gente no recuerda lo que tú has hecho, sino lo que tú has sido." (People don't remember what you did, but what you were.)

The quote highlights the enduring impact of a person's character over their actions or accomplishments in people's memories. Essentially, it suggests that while our deeds may be forgotten with time, the essence of who we are - our personality traits, values, and overall character - leaves a lasting impression on others. In other words, people tend to remember not what you did, but rather the kind of person you were during those actions.


"El momento adecuado para comenzar era ayer. El segundo mejor es hoy." (The perfect time to start was yesterday. The second best is today.)

This quote highlights the human tendency to procrastinate, often regretting missed opportunities in the past. It underscores the importance of taking action as soon as possible, emphasizing that while yesterday was the ideal time to start, today is the second-best alternative. The message encourages individuals to seize opportunities and begin working towards their goals without delay, as tomorrow may never come.


"La felicidad no es encontrarla, sino reconocerla cuando está en frente de ti." (Happiness is not finding it, but recognizing it when it's in front of you.)

This quote by Jose Bergamin suggests that true happiness is not a destination to be found, but rather a recognition or appreciation of the joy and contentment that already exists in our lives at any given moment. It emphasizes the importance of perceiving and acknowledging the positive aspects of life, instead of constantly seeking something external to bring us happiness.


Effort and result are never simultaneous. In art, only the result counts.

- Jose Bergamin

Art, Never, Result, Simultaneous

The man who gets drunk in peacetime is a coward. The man who gets drunk in wartime goes on being a coward.

- Jose Bergamin

Man, Drunk, Goes, Peacetime

A reformer knows neither how to do nor to undo.

- Jose Bergamin

How, Nor, Neither, Undo

To be thirsty and to drink water is the perfection of sensuality rarely achieved. Sometimes you drink water; other times you are thirsty.

- Jose Bergamin

Other, Thirsty, Times, Perfection

Sensuality without love is a sin; love without sensuality is worse than a sin.

- Jose Bergamin

Love, Sin, Than, Sensuality

In French literature, you can choose a la carte; in Spanish literature, there is only the set meal.

- Jose Bergamin

Meal, French Literature, La

The only time a man thinks is when he's alone.

- Jose Bergamin

Time, Alone, Only, Only Time

Happiness is always a coincidence.

- Jose Bergamin

Happiness, Always, Coincidence

Try not to turn your life into a race, least of all an obstacle race.

- Jose Bergamin

Try, Race, Least, Obstacle

When there is nothing to fear is the time to begin fearing everything.

- Jose Bergamin

Time, Nothing, Everything, Fearing

The novel is born of disillusionment; the poem, of despair.

- Jose Bergamin

Poetry, Born, Poem, Despair

A German immersed in any civilization different from his own loses a weight equivalent in volume to the amount of intelligence he displaces.

- Jose Bergamin

German, Equivalent, Amount, Immersed

An ignorance of Marx is as frequent among Marxists as an ignorance of Christ is among Catholics.

- Jose Bergamin

Ignorance, Christ, Among, Catholics

There are no good or bad habits. All habits are, by definition, bad.

- Jose Bergamin

Habits, Bad, Definition, Bad Habits

The first condition for making music is not to make a noise.

- Jose Bergamin

Music, Making, Condition, Noise

To light one candle to God and another to the Devil is the principle of wisdom.

- Jose Bergamin

Light, Another, Principle, Candle

Theology is the logic of the Devil.

- Jose Bergamin

Logic, Devil, Theology

You can hesitate before deciding, but not once the decision is made.

- Jose Bergamin

Decision, Before, Once, Deciding

The most original sin is not the thinker's but the poet's.

- Jose Bergamin

Sin, Original, Most, Thinker

The man who spends all his time looking up to heaven is not always the best; in fact, he is usually the worst.

- Jose Bergamin

Best, Fact, Always, Heaven

To sin offers repentance and forgiveness; not to sin offers only punishment.

- Jose Bergamin

Punishment, Only, Offers, Repentance

A piece of advice always contains an implicit threat, just as a threat always contains an implicit piece of advice.

- Jose Bergamin

Always, Implicit, Contains, Threat

If you really believe music is dangerous, you should let it go in one ear and out the other.

- Jose Bergamin

Music, Dangerous, Other, Ear

The quality of a man's mind can generally be judged by the size of his wastepaper basket.

- Jose Bergamin

Mind, Basket, His, Size

We say of an animal that it is intelligent, and we say the same thing of a woman; but in neither case is it usually appropriate, clearly for very different reasons.

- Jose Bergamin

Woman, Very, Appropriate, Neither

Who learns most from a good book is the author.

- Jose Bergamin

Most, Author, Learns, Good Book

It may be impossible to have a revolution without crimes but that does not make revolution a crime.

- Jose Bergamin

May, Crimes, Does, Crime

True art tries not to attract attention in order to be noticed.

- Jose Bergamin

Art, Tries, True Art, Noticed

A woman who does not become the slave of just one man becomes the slave of all men.

- Jose Bergamin

Woman, Just One, Does, Slave

Perhaps it's more merciful to forget the dead instead of remembering them.

- Jose Bergamin

Forget, More, Perhaps, Instead

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