Madeleine L'Engle Quotes

Powerful Madeleine L'Engle for Daily Growth

About Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007), an acclaimed American writer of novels, poetry, and philosophical works for children and adults, was born on November 29, 1918, in New York City. Raised in a family with strong literary inclinations, she developed an early love for reading and writing that would become the foundation of her prolific career. After attending several schools due to her father's military service during World War II, L'Engle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College in 1939. Her formal education continued with graduate studies at Radcliffe College and Cambridge University, where she explored various academic fields before focusing on writing. L'Engle's career took off when her first novel, "A Wrinkle in Time" (1962), won the Newbery Medal, the prestigious children's literature award of the American Library Association. The story follows a young girl named Meg Murry as she and her siblings journey through space and time to save their scientist father from an evil force. Building upon this success, L'Engle went on to publish numerous other works that combined science fiction, fantasy, and spiritual themes. Among these are the "Time Quintet" series, which includes "A Wind in the Door," "A Swiftly Tilting Planet," and "Many Waters." Throughout her life, L'Engle was influenced by her strong Christian faith, which often found expression in her works. She also drew inspiration from her experiences as a visiting scientist at the American Institute of Physics and from her marriage to Hugh Franklin, an actor with whom she had five children. Madeleine L'Engle passed away on September 6, 2007, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire readers of all ages. Her timeless stories continue to explore complex themes of love, faith, and the power of curiosity in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I do not believe in magic or the supernatural, but I do believe that love is more than just a feeling."

Madeleine L'Engle's quote emphasizes that despite her disbelief in magic or the supernatural, she holds a strong belief in love being something greater than just an emotion. To her, love encompasses more profound qualities, perhaps endurance, selflessness, or connection beyond the ordinary. It is a powerful force, capable of transcending limitations and creating an impact that goes beyond the confines of mere sentimentality.

"The only people who can really help us are those who see us for what we are and love us for what we have it in us to become."

This quote by Madeleine L'Engle emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships, where individuals recognize our current selves and yet embrace and support our potential for growth. Such people appreciate not just who we are at present but also see our inherent abilities to evolve into better versions of ourselves. This perspective encourages us to strive towards self-improvement with the confidence that there are those who will love, guide, and encourage us along the way.

"We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality."

This quote suggests that human existence is inherently shaped by perceptions, beliefs, and imaginations - a "fantasy world" or an abstract construct of our minds rather than the tangible, physical reality. However, finding 'reality' refers to the quest for authenticity, truth, and understanding amidst these illusions. It's a call to seek genuine insights about ourselves, others, and the universe, navigating through the complexities of human existence towards enlightenment and self-discovery.

"The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty."

Madeleine L'Engle suggests that a lack of faith does not equate to doubt, but rather to an unshakable certainty. This implies that genuine doubt—questioning, exploring, and seeking answers—is an essential part of the human journey towards understanding, while certainty can stifle curiosity, learning, and growth. Embracing doubt as a stepping stone for faith fosters a more enlightened, open-minded, and adaptable perspective on life.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

This quote suggests that staying safe within one's comfort zone, or being too cautious, can become increasingly uncomfortable over time. The pain of stagnation or unrealized potential may outweigh the risks associated with growth, change, and blossoming into something more. It encourages people to take the risk to break free from their shells and embrace transformation, even if it means facing uncertainty or potential challenges.

I like the fact that in ancient Chinese art the great painters always included a deliberate flaw in their work: human creation is never perfect.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Art, Fact, Always, Chinese

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Birthday, Other, Been, Great Thing

We have much to be judged on when he comes, slums and battlefields and insane asylums, but these are the symptoms of our illness and the result of our failures in love.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Love, Failures, Judged, Slums

When the bright angel dominates, out comes a great work of art, a Michelangelo David or a Beethoven symphony.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Work, Art, Bright, Beethoven

A book comes and says, 'Write me.' My job is to try to serve it to the best of my ability, which is never good enough, but all I can do is listen to it, do what it tells me and collaborate.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Book, Best, Which, Collaborate

With each book I write, I become more and more convinced that the books have a life of their own, quite apart from me.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Book, More, I Write, Apart

In the evening of life we shall be judged on love, and not one of us is going to come off very well, and were it not for my absolute faith in the loving forgiveness of my Lord I could not call on him to come.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Love, Going, Very, Evening

We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts.

- Madeleine L'Engle

How, Use, Take, Talents

Conversion for me was not a Damascus Road experience. I slowly moved into an intellectual acceptance of what my intuition had always known.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Always, Had, Moved, Slowly

Artistic temperament sometimes seems a battleground, a dark angel of destruction and a bright angel of creativity wrestling.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Dark, Sometimes, Temperament, Seems

That's the way things come clear. All of a sudden. And then you realize how obvious they've been all along.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Clear, Come, Been, Sudden

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability... To be alive is to be vulnerable.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Grow, Think, Grown-Up, Vulnerable

It is the ability to choose which makes us human.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Choose, Makes, Which, Ability

You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Children, Will, Too, Grown-Ups

Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Work, Rather, Before, Inspiration

Because you're not what I would have you be, I blind myself to who, in truth, you are.

- Madeleine L'Engle

Truth, Myself, Would, Blind

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