Marya Mannes Quotes

Powerful Marya Mannes for Daily Growth

About Marya Mannes

Marya Mannes (1904-1990) was an influential American writer, editor, and social commentator whose work spanned several decades and various mediums. Born on December 31, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up in a Jewish family known for their activism and intellectual pursuits. Her father, Stephen S. Wise, was a prominent rabbi and Zionist leader, while her mother, Julia Gelman Wise, was a social worker and suffragette. Mannes attended Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University) and later studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. Her early work included contributions to various magazines such as The Nation, The New Republic, and Vanity Fair, where she worked as an editor and columnist. Mannes is best known for her book "Poverty is a Myth" (1939), which challenged the common perception of poverty as a personal failing rather than a societal problem. The book was a critical success and helped shape the discourse on social justice during the Depression era. She also penned "The Journal of Mannes Family" (1942-1960), a collection of columns that chronicled her family's experiences during World War II, the Cold War, and the early Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her career, Mannes was a vocal advocate for social justice, civil rights, and women's rights. She served as the first female editor-in-chief of Harper's Magazine (1960-1972) and was a frequent guest on television talk shows, using her platform to discuss pressing social issues of the day. Mannes passed away on December 5, 1990, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent voice in American journalism and a champion for social justice. Her work continues to influence scholars and activists today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Forgiveness is the quality which the moment we claim for ourselves, we instinctively extend to others."

This quote by Marya Mannes suggests that when an individual chooses to forgive themselves, they naturally extend the same act of forgiveness to others. Essentially, it underscores the idea that self-forgiveness fosters empathy, understanding, and compassion towards others, as we recognize our shared human experiences and imperfections.

"To err is human; to forgive, superhuman."

This quote highlights the inherent fallibility of humans in making mistakes, and emphasizes the extraordinary capacity for compassion and forgiveness that goes beyond human nature when we choose to forgive. In essence, it suggests that while error and wrongdoing are common among people, the act of forgiving demonstrates a level of kindness, understanding, and generosity that surpasses our basic instincts.

"There are two kinds of people: those who believe in the power of prayer and those who have not yet been answers to their prayers."

This quote suggests a perspective that posits a division between individuals based on their faith in the power of prayer. On one side, there are those who have had experiences where they feel their prayers have been answered (implying that they believe in the efficacy of prayer). On the other hand, there are those who may not yet have received answers to their prayers, and thus, have not yet experienced or seen evidence that supports the power of prayer. The quote can be interpreted as a reflection on faith, belief, personal experiences, and the role of prayer in people's lives.

"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude."

This quote emphasizes that true artistic beauty stems from a deep sense of appreciation or gratitude. The artist's work, in being beautiful and great, is a manifestation of their feelings of gratitude towards life, humanity, nature, or any other source of inspiration. By expressing this gratitude through art, they not only share their joy but also enrich the lives of those who experience it. Art becomes a vehicle for fostering empathy, understanding, and connection, thus promoting a more grateful and compassionate world.

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

This quote suggests that the foundation of a strong family bond lies in the love between parents, particularly in the mutual respect, admiration, and affection between a father and his partner, the child's mother. By loving their mother, a father models empathy, kindness, and commitment for his children, which can have a profound impact on their emotional development, relationships, and overall well-being. Essentially, this quote emphasizes that a father's love for his partner is not only essential to the success of the family unit but also plays an integral role in shaping the character and values of the next generation.

For every five well-adjusted and smoothly functioning Americans, there are two who never had the chance to discover themselves. It may well be because they have never been alone with themselves.

- Marya Mannes

Chance, Discover, Been, Smoothly

Money is not an aphrodisiac: the desire it may kindle in the female eye is more for the cash than the carrier.

- Marya Mannes

Eye, Desire, Carrier, Aphrodisiac

All really great lovers are articulate, and verbal seduction is the surest road to actual seduction.

- Marya Mannes

Seduction, Actual, Surest, Articulate

It is not enough to show people how to live better: there is a mandate for any group with enormous powers of communication to show people how to be better.

- Marya Mannes

Communication, Show, Mandate, Powers

The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future.

- Marya Mannes

Living, Abuse, Diminishing, Presence

The curse of the romantic is a greed for dreams, an intensity of expectation that, in the end, diminishes the reality.

- Marya Mannes

Romantic, Intensity, Curse, In The End

Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them.

- Marya Mannes

Other, Accused, Repeatedly, Women Are

If American men are obsessed with money, American women are obsessed with weight. The men talk of gain, the women talk of loss, and I do not know which talk is the more boring.

- Marya Mannes

Money, Obsessed, Which, Women Are

Lie down and listen to the crabgrass grow The faucet leak, and learn to leave them so.

- Marya Mannes

Learn, Grow, Leak, Faucet

In aid, the proper attitude is one omitting gratitude.

- Marya Mannes

Gratitude, Attitude, Proper, Aid

In our society those who are in reality superior in intelligence can be accepted by their fellows only if they pretend they are not.

- Marya Mannes

Pretend, Accepted, Our, Fellows

Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.

- Marya Mannes

Arrogance, Timing, Use, Decisive

It's never what you say, but how you make it sound sincere.

- Marya Mannes

Communication, Never, How, Sincere

I don't think the advertisers have any real idea of their power not only to reflect but to mold society.

- Marya Mannes

Think, Idea, Mold, Advertiser

The sign of an intelligent people is their ability to control their emotions by the application of reason.

- Marya Mannes

Intelligence, Reason, Application

By the age of fifty, you have made yourself what you are, and if it is good, it is better than your youth.

- Marya Mannes

Better, Made, Than, Fifty

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