Robert E. Sherwood Quotes

Powerful Robert E. Sherwood for Daily Growth

About Robert E. Sherwood

Robert E. Sherwood (1896-1955) was an accomplished American playwright, screenwriter, and drama critic, best known for his significant contributions to the Golden Age of Broadway. Born on January 28, 1896, in New York City, Sherwood's passion for theater was ignited at an early age, inspired by the vibrant cultural scene of New York City. After graduating from Columbia University, Sherwood pursued a career as a drama critic for various newspapers, including the New York World and The New York Times. This experience afforded him an intimate understanding of the stage and its works, which would later serve him in his writing endeavors. Sherwood's professional breakthrough came with his first Broadway play, "Reason and Emotion" (1924), which was followed by numerous successful plays such as "The Road to Rome" (1930) and "These Three" (1931). The latter would later be adapted into the classic film, "Gone With the Wind." Sherwood's greatest achievement, however, came with his work on "Irene," a musical that earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1919. This success propelled him onto the national stage and established him as one of America's foremost playwrights. In addition to his work on Broadway, Sherwood penned screenplays for numerous Hollywood films, including "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940) and the epic biographical drama "Wilson" (1944). His work during this period cemented his status as a master of historical and biographical dramas. Robert E. Sherwood's life was marked by a deep love for storytelling, a keen intellect, and an unwavering commitment to the theater. His works continue to be celebrated today, serving as enduring testaments to his incredible talent and lasting impact on American theater and cinema.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a great surprise every hour."

This quote by Robert E. Sherwood emphasizes that life is unpredictable and full of surprises, with each passing hour bringing new experiences and events that we may not have foreseen. It encourages us to embrace the unexpected and be open to the possibilities that life presents. The essence of the quote serves as a reminder that one should appreciate the beauty and mystery of life's journey.


"The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him."

This quote suggests that demonstrating trust in someone, rather than attempting to verify their trustworthiness through testing or scrutiny, is the most effective means of making them reliable. By putting faith in another person, we empower them to reciprocate our trust with dependable behavior. In other words, trust begets trust.


"A friend is someone who knows all your songs, but still wants to hear you sing."

This quote highlights the depth of friendship, where a friend is not just a casual acquaintance, but someone deeply connected with another person's life. They know every aspect of the other, yet they continue to engage, show interest, and appreciate the individual. Essentially, it means that a true friend values and supports you genuinely, even when they are familiar with your experiences, stories, or talents because they understand the beauty in each expression of who you are.


"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."

This quote by Robert E. Sherwood suggests that courage is not about being free from fear, but rather choosing to act despite fear, because there is something greater at stake. It means valuing other aspects like duty, responsibility, or personal conviction over the feeling of fear. In essence, it's about finding the strength within oneself to take action in the face of uncertainty and potential danger, for a purpose deemed more important than fear itself.


"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

This quote implies that while it's understandable for children to fear the unknown (the 'dark'), the true pitfall in life occurs when adults, with greater capacity for understanding and knowledge ('light'), continue to harbor fear or avoid truths, growth opportunities, or change. Essentially, Sherwood is suggesting that adult fear of the known can limit personal development and hinder one's ability to progress in life.


He must be independent and brave, and sure of himself and of the importance of his work, because if he isn't he will never survive the scorching blasts of derision that will probably greet his first efforts.

- Robert E. Sherwood

Independent, Survive, Sure, Blast

To be able to write a play a man must be sensitive, imaginative, naive, gullible, passionate; he must be something of an imbecile, something of a poet, something of a liar, something of a damn fool.

- Robert E. Sherwood

Play, Passionate, Gullible, Naive

We all come from our own little planets. That's why we're all different. That's what makes life interesting.

- Robert E. Sherwood

Interesting, Own, Makes, Planets

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