Judith Viorst Quotes

Powerful Judith Viorst for Daily Growth

About Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst, an American poet, humorist, and children's author, was born on November 19, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. She attended the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a degree in English Literature in 1952. Her early works were influenced by her love for poetry and the literary greats she studied during her academic years. Viorst's writing career took off in the 1960s when she began contributing to various publications, including The Saturday Evening Post, Redbook, and McCall's. Her debut book of poetry, "A Series of Unfortunate Events," was published in 1967, showcasing her unique blend of humor and poignancy that would become a signature style. In the 1970s, Viorst expanded her repertoire to include children's literature with the publication of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." This book became a beloved classic, resonating with children and parents alike due to its relatable portrayal of childhood struggles. Viorst continued to write prolifically throughout her life, producing works that addressed a wide range of topics. Notable among these are "Necessary Losses: The Things We Give Up Before We Die" (1984), a poignant exploration of loss and grief, and "The Plague and I: My Daughter's Illness, Our Tumultuous Bond, and the Healing Power of Humor," which chronicles her daughter's battle with mental illness. Throughout her career, Judith Viorst has been recognized for her contributions to literature, winning numerous awards and accolades. Her work continues to inspire readers of all ages, combining humor, empathy, and a deep understanding of the human experience. Judith Viorst passed away on August 11, 2021, leaving behind a rich legacy of written works that continue to bring joy, comfort, and reflection to readers around the world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Coming home isn't just an arrival at your doorstep, it's landing in your heart."

This quote by Judith Viorst suggests that returning to a place or person is not only about physically arriving but also about the emotional connection one feels – a sense of belonging and warmth that goes beyond the physical space. It implies that home is not merely a geographical location, but rather a deeply rooted sentiment where one finds comfort, security, and love.

"The minute I hear a siren I'm ready for a nap."

This quote suggests that the monotony or predictability of certain sounds, such as a siren, can trigger a sense of calm or boredom in the speaker, to the point where it becomes associated with sleepiness or a need for rest. It might imply that familiar, routine, or repetitive aspects of life can sometimes be comforting and soothing, causing a desire for relaxation or a break from daily activities.

"You can't have everything in life, but you can always have more therapy."

This quote by Judith Viorst humorously highlights the idea that despite life's limitations, finding solace, understanding, and personal growth through therapy is always a viable option. In essence, it suggests that while people may not be able to attain everything they desire in life, they can continuously seek help and improvement through therapy, ultimately enhancing their emotional well-being.

"I'm not denying the fact and I'm not afraid to admit it: every woman is insane until she's 35, then she becomes normal."

This quote suggests a tongue-in-cheek perspective on the societal expectations and pressures women face during their formative years, particularly in the first three decades of life. The statement humorously implies that the period from birth to age 35 can be characterized by unconventional behavior or nonconformity as women navigate societal roles, relationships, careers, and self-discovery. After age 35, the implication is that women settle into a more "normal" state, which could mean finding a sense of stability, understanding themselves better, or conforming to societal norms. However, it's essential to remember that this quote is not intended as a serious reflection on all women, but rather a commentary on the traditional roles and expectations placed upon them.

"The more you complain, the longer God makes you live. Just ask a mosquito."

This quote suggests that complaining, or frequent dissatisfaction with one's circumstances, may prolong one's life. The comparison to a mosquito, an insect that is known for its persistent irritation without causing significant harm, implies that the tendency to continually complain might be a characteristic shared by long-lived beings, albeit metaphorically. It encourages resilience and gratitude amidst challenges, as prolonged life could potentially be the result of finding peace with one's situation rather than dwelling on negativity.

My favorite was 'The Secret Garden'. I loved it, and I think it's had a big influence on all of my characters. 'The Secret Garden' is about transgressions and imperfect people.

- Judith Viorst

Think, Big, I Think, Transgression

Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Pattern, Over, Philadelphia

Most of the characters I have in my children's books are grouchy or annoyed about something or are calling each other unfriendly names. Like my own kids, they're not honeys and sweetie pies and little angels. They're kids. Sloppy, dirty, stinky.

- Judith Viorst

Own, Other, About, Unfriendly

I had lived with my mother in anger and love - I suppose most daughters do - but my children only knew her in one way: As the lady who thought they were smarter than Albert Einstein. As the lady who thought they wrote better than William Shakespeare. As the lady who thought every picture they drew was a Rembrandt.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Thought, Had, Rembrandt

Close friends contribute to our personal growth. They also contribute to our personal pleasure, making the music sound sweeter, the wine taste richer, the laughter ring louder because they are there.

- Judith Viorst

Making, Louder, Sweeter, Close

Kids are always writing me: 'I had a bad day too.' 'I got gum in my hair.' And the kids also write to me to pass on advice to Alexander. My favorite one of those being, 'The next time you have a bad day, blame your brothers.' I didn't expect this. It's certainly the most successful of my books.

- Judith Viorst

Bad, Next, Brothers, Next Time

Everyone has bad days, and when you're having a bad day, you think, 'Here I am being singled out by a hostile, malicious universe that is picking exclusively on me.' And then you read a book about bad days and realize they happen to everyone, not just tormented, persecuted you.

- Judith Viorst

Bad, Here, Persecuted, Singled

My mother was born in June and later, feeling a vacancy, chose her birth month for her middle name. Marry to marry, had kids because that's what was done. Liked crossword puzzles, liked lilac trees, liked baking in the sun, and liked Bing Crosby.

- Judith Viorst

Marry, Had, Crosby, Chose

Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational - but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?

- Judith Viorst

Cost, Knock, Primitive, Foolish

Lust is what keeps you wanting to do it even when you have no desire to be with each other. Love is what makes you want to be with each other even when you have no desire to do it.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Other, Wanting, Lust

All along, I've been writing about our fears, our longings, our fantasies, our ambivalences. When I decided to study psychoanalysis, I did it because I wanted to understand the psychodynamics of it all. Though far from perfect, psychoanalysis offered me a huge, wonderful window on all that.

- Judith Viorst

Perfect, Study, Been, Psychoanalysis

Kids need to encounter kids like themselves - kids who can sometimes be crabby and fresh and rebellious, kids who talk back and disobey, tell fibs and get into trouble, and are nonetheless still likable and redeemable.

- Judith Viorst

Need, Like, Still, Disobey

A rebel. That was me when I was younger. What was a rebel from New Jersey? A rebel was moving to the Village, not sleeping with top sheets, not eating a hot breakfast in the morning, not having 20 rolls of toilet paper and 10 boxes of Kleenex.

- Judith Viorst

Hot, Rebel, Kleenex, Sheets

When he is late for dinner and I know he must be either having an affair or lying dead in the street, I always hope he's dead.

- Judith Viorst

Dead, Always, Having, Affair

It's very hard when I've seen a couple of people very beloved in my life with terrible degenerative diseases.

- Judith Viorst

My Life, Very, Couple, Beloved

I like to take all my feelings and thoughts and put them down in different ways on paper.

- Judith Viorst

Thoughts, Like, Them, Feelings

The years that remain are clearly limited. When you're 80, you attend a lot more funerals. A lot more people are having a hard time and are ill.

- Judith Viorst

Attend, Having, More People, Funerals

Don't let anything sneak past you. Don't say, 'Well, oh, I'll take a picture and put it in my photograph album.' I notice it now. I love it now. And I am grateful for it now.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Grateful, Past, Notice

Because we believe ourselves to be better parents than our parents, we expect to produce better children than they produced.

- Judith Viorst

Children, Better, Expect, Produced

I actually sat down and started three Alexanders at the same time. Two of them went in the trash and got stomped on because I hated the idea so much. And the one I came up with, I got very excited by. And that's 'Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever'.

- Judith Viorst

Best, Idea, Very, Trash

Love is the same as like except you feel sexier.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Same, Like, Sexier

Starting after 60, I thought, 'I'm not going to be able to write a book of poems on the 70s. It's going to be all moans and groans and complaints, and what is there to laugh about?' But I found plenty to laugh about.

- Judith Viorst

Book, Thought, Going, Starting

Nobody who knows me and loves me dearly would ever call me adaptable or flexible. I'm not.

- Judith Viorst

Call, Ever, Adaptable, Flexible

My mother was a huge, huge reader. I think I picked up very early how precious it was to write things in books and have people like my mother glued to the page.

- Judith Viorst

Think, I Think, Very, Glued

If I could pick one reason why I want to be a writer, it would be connection. In all kinds of ways, I like to be individual and distinct; but when I write, I want to be writing about things that connect me to the people for whom I write.

- Judith Viorst

Reason, I Write, About, If I Could

We will have to give up the hope that, if we try hard, we somehow will always do right by our children. The connection is imperfect. We will sometimes do wrong.

- Judith Viorst

Give, Will, Always, Imperfect

My mother would have been so crazy about my grandchildren. She was a fabulous grandmother, and she would have been absolutely crazed as a great-grandmother. I miss that part of her.

- Judith Viorst

Grandchildren, Been, Part, Fabulous

I thought that the 40s was a tough decade, because it's when you finally figure out that you're not immortal, when you really start seeing that certain options are closed to you forever: You're not going to be a brain surgeon; you're not going to be a ballerina.

- Judith Viorst

Thought, Decade, Ballerina, Options

What kind of grandmother am I? I'm a 'three-dessert' grandmother. I'm a 'let's just skip the bath tonight, honey, watch another video' grandmother.

- Judith Viorst

Grandmother, Kind, Tonight, Bath

I didn't get one word published until I was well into my 30s. But I always tried.

- Judith Viorst

Always, Tried, Get, Published

My first published writings were trying to take scientific concepts and make them clear for a general audience.

- Judith Viorst

Audience, Clear, Writings, Published

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again.

- Judith Viorst

Love, Marriage, Advantage, Keeps

I always credited my mother with inspiring me to be a writer because she was such a passionate reader. She read poetry to me as a child. But rather late in life, I've come to appreciate my father, the accountant. He was a solid, organized, get-the-job-done kind of person-and you need that piece of it to be a writer, too.

- Judith Viorst

Passionate, Accountant, Organized

'Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever' was inspired by a combination of my grandson, my son, and myself - all those times when each of us has decided that we're just not going to get into trouble anymore. But it's so hard to be good all of the time!

- Judith Viorst

Best, Boy, Anymore, Combination

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.

- Judith Viorst

Strength, Hands, Break, Bar

Probably above all other things, I am interested as a writer in making a connection, interested in the parts of all of us that connect.

- Judith Viorst

Other, Making, Am, Connection

I not only wanted to write when I was 7 and 8, but I sent stuff out when I was 7 and 8. I sent it out... and I couldn't believe that they would turn down my poems about faithful dogs.

- Judith Viorst

Believe, Turn, About, Faithful

I wrote 'And Two Boys Booed' several years ago, but we really chased around looking for the perfect illustrator, so it took a while.

- Judith Viorst

Perfect, Chased, Took, Years Ago

My Girl Scout leader. She told me if I listened more and talked less, I could grow up to be a good writer. I thought that was interesting advice at age 12.

- Judith Viorst

Leader, Thought, Good Writer, Scout

In history class, I wrote a poem, 'The Royalists and the Roundheads.' I would write poems about driftwood in art class and little stories about the sun, moon, and stars in science class. Since not many kids were writing in class, I got away with it.

- Judith Viorst

Sun, Away, About, Poem

You could never plan your life in a million years.

- Judith Viorst

Never, Could, Million, Million Years

The best I can do is, it's like a 'ding!' You're writing, and then something starts falling into place, and you hear or feel a ding. And it just feels - it's going to be okay.

- Judith Viorst

Falling, Like, Feels, Okay

You end up as you deserve. In old age you must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children you have earned.

- Judith Viorst

Age, Deserve, Old, Earned

I could be such a wonderful wife to another wife's husband.

- Judith Viorst

Wife, Could, Another, Husband

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