Michael Finkel Quotes

Powerful Michael Finkel for Daily Growth

About Michael Finkel

Michael Finkel is an acclaimed American author and journalist, recognized for his riveting narratives that delve into the human condition in unique and thought-provoking ways. Born on February 17, 1965, in New York City, Finkel grew up with a passion for literature, nurtured by his parents who were both educators. After graduating from Columbia University, Finkel began his career as a journalist, working for The New York Times and later becoming a regular contributor to publications such as Harper's Magazine and GQ. One of his most notable early works was an article about the death of Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov, which won him a National Magazine Award in 1996. However, Finkel is best known for his book "The Stranger in the Woods," published in 2017. This non-fiction work tells the story of Christopher Knight, who lived in seclusion in the Maine woods for nearly three decades. The book was a New York Times bestseller and was praised for its empathetic portrayal of Knight and exploration of what drives people to seek solitude. Finkel's life took a dramatic turn when he was dismissed from New York Times Magazine following an incident involving a freelance assignment in Mali. This experience led Finkel to write "True Story," a memoir that explores his personal journey and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. The book was adapted into a film starring Jonah Hill and James Franco in 2015. Finkel's work is marked by its deep empathy, rigorous reporting, and keen insight into human nature. His stories challenge readers to question their own assumptions and beliefs about the world around them.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means."

This quote emphasizes the importance of financial prudence and self-reliance in one's life. Living within your means signifies maintaining a balance between income and expenses, avoiding debt, and not overspending. By doing so, one demonstrates dignity through responsible financial management, and achieves independence by ensuring financial stability. This quote suggests that such practices are crucial to personal growth and self-sufficiency.


"I've learned that life doesn't happen to you; it happens for you."

This quote by Michael Finkel suggests that life is not merely a series of random events happening to us, but rather a journey with a purpose and potential for growth. It encourages the idea that every experience, good or bad, serves a greater purpose in shaping our character and helping us grow as individuals. Essentially, it implies that we should view adversity not as something happening against us, but as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and ultimately find meaning in our lives.


"Life has a way of telling us what we need to know, if only we will pay attention."

The quote emphasizes the inherent wisdom in our everyday experiences. Life provides us with subtle cues and lessons, and it's crucial that we remain attuned to these signals so as to learn and grow from them. This means not only reacting to events but also reflecting on them, gaining insights into ourselves and our environment. In other words, life is a teacher if we are willing to learn.


"To be an outsider is often the best place from which to see, understand and appreciate the world."

This quote by Michael Finkel emphasizes the perspective-giving advantage of being an outsider. Being on the periphery allows one to observe the world with a unique, unbiased, and sometimes more objective viewpoint. As outsiders, we are not bound by traditional norms or beliefs, which can enable us to better understand and appreciate cultural nuances, complexities, and idiosyncrasies that may escape those who are deeply immersed in a society. Thus, the quote suggests that being an outsider can often provide a richer understanding of the world, leading to a deeper and more profound appreciation of its diverse tapestry.


"Truth isn't always pleasant, but it's always necessary."

This quote emphasizes the importance of truth over comfort or convenience. In life, we often seek out pleasing narratives, but the pursuit of truth is essential for understanding our world accurately. While truth may sometimes be challenging to face, acknowledging it is crucial for personal growth, making informed decisions, and fostering trust in relationships and society at large.


America might be the land of second chances, but it ain't the land of third chances.

- Michael Finkel

Might, Third, Second Chances, Chances

I moved at age 22 to Montana to be able to walk in really wild woods, where the chances of being killed by a bear or mountain lion are not zero.

- Michael Finkel

Woods, Being, Moved, Chances

I think many people have this sense that something about modern society - the screens, the noise, the traffic, the constant busyness - has approached a point where living in the world feels somewhat unhealthy.

- Michael Finkel

Constant, I Think, Feels, Unhealthy

I firmly believe that if we all just took a little time - like 10 or 15 minutes a day - to do nothing but sit calmly with our thoughts, this world would be a much better place.

- Michael Finkel

Believe, Firmly, 15 Minutes, Little Time

I'm always theoretically opposed to capital punishment as a matter of policy; like, I don't believe a state should put its citizens to death.

- Michael Finkel

Always, Capital, Opposed, Theoretically

Frightening things happen in solitude.

- Michael Finkel

Things Happen, Happen, Solitude

I never do formal interviews. I don't use a tape recorder. I take notes but occasionally.

- Michael Finkel

Never, Formal, Take, Recorder

I am a writer. It's like a third arm to me.

- Michael Finkel

I Am, Like, Third, Arm

Not to get too maudlin, but I think all mistakes are tests for one's mettle.

- Michael Finkel

Think, Tests, I Think, Maudlin

I always fancied myself an outdoorsman, even though I'm a Jewish guy from the East Coast.

- Michael Finkel

Always, Though, Fancied, East Coast

I spent most of my youth in Montana, where there are long, cold winters, but Maine has the coldest winters you could imagine. Not only are they long, not only does it snow, but it gets really damp. It's a wet cold with a lot of wind.

- Michael Finkel

Youth, Long, Cold, Montana

As a writer, I spend a lot of time alone, and I like it. I'm also a long-distance runner, and I love long, solo road trips; I can drive literally all night, drinking coffee, and not even listening to the radio, just strangely content sifting through the random thoughts in my own head.

- Michael Finkel

Love, Own, Through, Long-Distance

In my writing, I try to combine all my favorite elements of journalism - accuracy, real characters that exist on this planet - with all my favorite elements of literature: a sense of flow, of propulsion, of wanting to read every sentence.

- Michael Finkel

Sentence, Wanting, Read, Flow

The so-called modern conveniences may, in fact, be extremely inconvenient - everything seems to exist as a distraction from any sort of deeper thought or contemplation.

- Michael Finkel

Thought, Fact, May, So-Called

I'd lied many times: to bolster my credentials, to elicit sympathy, to make myself appear less ordinary.

- Michael Finkel

Myself, Less, Credentials, Elicit

I am guaranteeing you that if you see my byline on a story, it's going to be the cleanest story you've ever read.

- Michael Finkel

Going, Read, Cleanest, Guaranteeing

Extraordinary things happen in solitude.

- Michael Finkel

Extraordinary, Happen, Solitude

In an odd sort of way, the computer and the Internet is the hermit's ideal form of communication. You don't have to see anyone. To send an email, you don't have to talk to anyone. You can just send it, and they'll read it on their own. The Internet has been really good for hermits.

- Michael Finkel

Good, Own, Been, Email

I tend to be a fairly spirited person, but I've never hated anyone more than I hated Christian Longo after his trial, when I realized his guilt and that I had been partially duped.

- Michael Finkel

Guilt, More, Been, Duped

My advice for telling someone else's story is to try not to consciously bend the story in any particular direction - to listen with an open mind, to include the good with the bad, to attempt to quell one's biases and allow the person you're writing about to emerge as wholly as possible, warts and all.

- Michael Finkel

Bad, Allow, Telling, Open Mind

I think that it's human nature to categorize and label things. That's generally the way that the medical and psychological professions work. You look at elements of what you have, and you are able to categorize it, and then you can cure it. That's generally what works.

- Michael Finkel

Medical, I Think, Works, Human Nature

There have always been hermits: people who want to get away from other humans. Literally, some of the first extant books and poems found in Mesopotamia and China mention people living alone in the woods. It's this primal fascination that exists across all cultures and all times.

- Michael Finkel

Some, Other, Been, Hermits

My fight-or-flight mechanism... had served me well in Gaza, in Afghanistan, and all the places I'd been.

- Michael Finkel

Been, Had, Gaza, Mechanism

I committed pretty much the worst thing you can do, which is defraud the readers.

- Michael Finkel

Pretty, Worst Thing, Which, Readers

Perhaps one could say I've worked in South Africa too long, but I believe in forgiveness, especially when a person admits a mistake, asks for forgiveness, and works to right a wrong.

- Michael Finkel

Believe, Works, South, I Believe In

Modern life, especially with young children, so often seems like a mad rush... We so rarely take time to just do nothing - not look at our phones, not read the news.

- Michael Finkel

News, Young, Read, Young Children

There's a difference between lying and not being straight.

- Michael Finkel

Difference, Straight, Being, Lying

You can read my stuff; there are not very many quotes. It's more impressionistic.

- Michael Finkel

More, Very, Read, Quotes

I spent 12 years traveling more than six months a year. I really needed to see the world.

- Michael Finkel

Year, Six, Months, Traveling

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.