Peter De Vries Quotes

Powerful Peter De Vries for Daily Growth

About Peter De Vries

Peter Taylor De Vries, born on August 3, 1910, in Detroit, Michigan, was an acclaimed American author known for his wit, satire, and profound insights into human nature. Growing up in a Jewish family, De Vries's early years were marked by the cultural melting pot of Detroit, which he later depicted in many of his works. De Vries attended Wayne State University before serving in World War II as an intelligence officer. His war experiences significantly influenced his writing, particularly in his novel "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (1945). After the war, he returned to Detroit and began a successful career in advertising while continuing to write on the side. In 1947, De Vries published his first novel, "The Hicks", which received positive reviews but failed to achieve commercial success. However, this did not deter him, and he continued writing. His breakthrough came with the publication of "Son of Laughter" (1952), a satirical novel that earned him the National Book Award for Fiction. De Vries's most famous work, "The Blood of Hell" (1954), is a darkly comic tale of post-war America and its moral decay. His other notable works include "Compulsion" (1956), co-written with Meyer Levin, which explores the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder case; "The Mackle" (1956); and "The Egyptian Hall" (1982). De Vries's writing style was characterized by his sharp wit, biting satire, and keen observation of human nature. His works often explored themes of morality, identity, and the absurdity of modern life. Peter De Vries passed away on July 27, 1993, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to be celebrated today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Happiness is a by-product; it's probably a matter of temperature more than anything else."

This quote suggests that happiness is not an intentional outcome, but rather a natural byproduct or result of one's overall disposition or state of being, similar to body temperature. In other words, just as our bodies maintain a certain temperature without conscious effort, we may find ourselves feeling happy at times, not due to specific actions aimed towards happiness, but because we are generally balanced and content in life. It implies that true, lasting happiness is more about maintaining a positive outlook, emotional equilibrium, and overall well-being rather than actively pursuing happiness as an end goal.


"Man (is) a creature who makes words to hide his thoughts."

This quote by Peter De Vries suggests that humans have a tendency to use language as a means to conceal or disguise their true feelings, thoughts, or intentions. In other words, people often use words to create a facade or a mask, rather than revealing their authentic selves. This can occur for various reasons such as fear, embarrassment, deception, or a desire to maintain control over one's image. The quote underscores the complexity and nuance of human communication, where what is said may not always align with what is felt or intended.


"The simple act of opening up can put the world in a whole new perspective."

This quote by Peter De Vries emphasizes the transformative power of vulnerability and openness. By sharing our thoughts, feelings, or experiences with others, we can gain fresh perspectives on ourselves, our relationships, and even the world at large. Open communication fosters understanding, empathy, and growth, breaking down barriers that may have previously confined us to narrow or limiting viewpoints. This newfound perspective can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life, as well as stronger connections with others.


"There are two types of people in the world: those who believe there are two types of people in the world and those who don't."

This quote by Peter De Vries suggests that there exists a common misconception about categorizing people into distinct groups, like "those who see divisions" and "those who do not." In reality, it implies that the very act of creating such dichotomies is itself a trait shared by many individuals. This witty statement invites reflection on our propensity to label and divide, encouraging us to consider the complexities of human nature that transcend simple categorization.


"The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you did not know was there."

This quote highlights the transformative power of reading. It suggests that in the process of reading, we encounter thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that were previously unknown to us. Reading becomes an opportunity for personal growth and expansion of our understanding, not just about the world, but also about ourselves. It underscores the idea that a good book can broaden one's mind and enrich one's life.


It is the final proof of God's omnipotence that he need not exist in order to save us.

- Peter De Vries

Need, Final, Exist, Omnipotence

The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly.

- Peter De Vries

Anniversary, Other, Like, Bonds

There are times when parenthood seems nothing more than feeding the hand that bites you.

- Peter De Vries

More, Times, Parenthood, Bites

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff - it is a palliative rather than a remedy.

- Peter De Vries

Confession, Rather, Coat, Remedy

Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us.

- Peter De Vries

Food, Emotional, Sign, Gluttony

The satirist shoots to kill while the humorist brings his prey back alive and eventually releases him again for another chance.

- Peter De Vries

Humor, Chance, Prey, Humorist

The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the combination is locked up in the safe.

- Peter De Vries

Universe, Like, Which, Locked

I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.

- Peter De Vries

Love, Being, I Love, Paperwork

Life is a zoo in a jungle.

- Peter De Vries

Life, Life Is A, Zoo, Jungle

Words fashioned with somewhat over precise diction are like shapes turned out by a cookie cutter.

- Peter De Vries

Cookie, Over, Turned, Precise

I wanted to be bored to death, as good a way to go as any.

- Peter De Vries

Death, Go, Wanted, Bored

My father hated radio and could not wait for television to be invented so he could hate that too.

- Peter De Vries

Wait, Could, Too, Invented

The tuba is certainly the most intestinal of instruments, the very lower bowel of music.

- Peter De Vries

Most, Very, Certainly, Tuba

Let us hope, that a kind Providence will put a speedy end to the acts of God under which we have been laboring.

- Peter De Vries

Will, Been, Which, Providence

Pain is the question mark turned like a fishhook in the human heart.

- Peter De Vries

Pain, Question, Turned, Mark

When I can no longer bear to think of the victims of broken homes, I begin to think of the victims of intact ones.

- Peter De Vries

Broken, Think, Longer, Victims

The murals in restaurants are on par with the food in museums.

- Peter De Vries

Food, Museums, Par, Restaurants

Murals in restaurants are on a par with the food in museums.

- Peter De Vries

Art, Museums, Par, Restaurants

The value of marriage is not that adults produce children but that children produce adults.

- Peter De Vries

Marriage, Children, Value, Adult

Who of us is mature enough for offspring before the offspring themselves arrive? The value of marriage is not that adults produce children but that children produce adults.

- Peter De Vries

Mature, Before, Offspring, Adult

The difficulty with marriage is that we fall in love with a personality, but must live with a character.

- Peter De Vries

Love, Marriage, Character, Difficulty

The rich aren't like us, they pay less taxes.

- Peter De Vries

Rich, Like, Pay, Less

We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through.

- Peter De Vries

Earth, Through, See, Primarily

I was thinking that we all learn by experience, but some of us have to go to summer school.

- Peter De Vries

School, Learn, Some, Summer

A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.

- Peter De Vries

Mother, Role, Suburban, Deliver

I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine o'clock every morning.

- Peter De Vries

See, Nine, I Write, Inspired

Celibacy is the worst form of self-abuse.

- Peter De Vries

Celibacy, Form, Worst

Everybody hates me because I'm so universally liked.

- Peter De Vries

Me, Everybody, Universally, Hates

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

- Peter De Vries

Used, Nostalgia

We must love one another, yes, yes, that's all true enough, but nothing says we have to like each other.

- Peter De Vries

Love, Other, Like, Yes

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