Robert Trout Quotes

Powerful Robert Trout for Daily Growth

About Robert Trout

Robert Trout (1908-1993) was an influential American author, poet, and screenwriter, known for his insightful reflections on the human condition and existentialism. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 24, 1908, Trout spent much of his early life surrounded by art and literature, fostering a deep passion for both. Trout graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in journalism. His career took off in the 1930s when he moved to New York City and began writing poems and short stories for various publications, including The New Yorker. In the 1940s, Trout transitioned to screenwriting, contributing to films like "Sabrina" (1954) and "The Rack" (1956). Throughout his life, Trout was influenced by a variety of thinkers, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre. These philosophical influences can be seen in his work, which often delved into existential themes such as the meaning of life, freedom, and death. One of Trout's most significant works is the novel "The Beginning Has No End" (1948), a seminal text in existentialist literature that explores the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. His poetry collection "In Time of Trouble" (1950) also garnered critical acclaim, showcasing his profound insights and skillful use of language. Trout's impact on literature is enduring, with his works continuing to inspire readers and writers alike. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, on September 6, 1993, leaving behind a rich legacy that spans multiple genres and continues to resonate with audiences today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It's a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we learn it, know it, we carry on."

Robert Trout's quote emphasizes that life inherently presents challenges, and acknowledging this reality is the first step towards overcoming them. By accepting the difficulty of life, we can develop resilience, wisdom, and a determination to continue, ultimately transcending these difficulties and growing as individuals.


"To live is to choose. Choose wisely."

This quote emphasizes the idea that life is a series of choices, and it encourages us to make those choices wisely. It suggests that the quality of our lives depends on the decisions we make, so it's important to consider their potential consequences before making them. In essence, it encourages thoughtful decision-making and personal responsibility in navigating life's journey.


"The only way out is through."

The quote "The only way out is through" by Robert Frost signifies that there's no easy escape or shortcut when facing challenges; one must confront them head-on, persevere, and navigate the difficulties to find resolution or growth. In essence, it encourages us to embrace obstacles as opportunities for personal development and resilience.


"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

This quote emphasizes that success is closely tied to persistent, continuous effort. It suggests that successful individuals are those who take action, learn from their mistakes, and don't give up. The message encourages one to be resilient in the face of setbacks, understanding that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process on the path to success.


"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

This quote by Robert Trout emphasizes the importance of constructive action over destructive resistance in bringing about change. Instead of focusing on fighting or criticizing the current state of things, one should strive to create a better alternative – a "new model" that is so superior it renders the existing model irrelevant. In essence, this quote highlights the need for innovation and forward-thinking as key drivers of positive change.


Although the Chinese had used opium as a medicine, there was no widespread addiction before the British arrived.

- Robert Trout

Arrived, Opium, Although, Chinese

The British seizure of Hongkong was an aspect of one of the most ugly crimes of the British Empire: the takeover and destruction of India, and the use of India to flood China with opium.

- Robert Trout

British Empire, Takeover, Seizure

The East India Company's domination of the Indian economy was based on its private army.

- Robert Trout

Army, East, Based, Indian

We fear doing too little when we should do more. Then atone by doing too much, when perhaps we should do less.

- Robert Trout

Doing, More, Then, Atone

In order for a society to survive, it must generate a sufficient level of physical production both to meet its current needs, and to produce a surplus for upgrading its productive powers.

- Robert Trout

Survive, Needs, Surplus, To Survive

Confucianism strongly condemned the use of drugs like opium.

- Robert Trout

Like, Opium, Strongly, Confucianism

The myth that the founding of American Republic was based on the philosophy of John Locke could only have been maintained, because the history of Leibniz's influence was suppressed.

- Robert Trout

Been, Republic, Based, Maintained

At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hongkong, the British Crown Colony, will be restored to China. This is not only an event which will be celebrated by patriotic Chinese; any patriotic American should celebrate it as well.

- Robert Trout

Midnight, Which, Patriotic, Celebrated

The British system denied any role for human creativity, and instead argued, that if man merely followed his hedonistic desires, pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain, objective laws would naturally guide society to achieve the best allocation of wealth.

- Robert Trout

Role, Argued, Pursuing, Denied

The East India Company established a monopoly over the production of opium, shortly after taking over Bengal.

- Robert Trout

Over, Established, Opium, Monopoly

Were you to read the British press today, you would learn that the British Empire never forgets its defeats.

- Robert Trout

Learn, British Empire, Read, Forgets

From this bestial view that the human mind consists of only sense certainty, pleasure and pain, Locke developed an equally bestial theory of the nation. Man originally existed in a State of Nature of complete liberty.

- Robert Trout

Nation, Equally, Developed, Human Mind

Leibniz dedicated his life to efforts to educate people to understand that true happiness is found by locating their identity in benefitting mankind and their posterity.

- Robert Trout

True Happiness, Dedicated, Educate

A successful society is characterized by a rising living standard for its population, increasing investment in factories and basic infrastructure, and the generation of additional surplus, which is invested in generating new discoveries in science and technology.

- Robert Trout

Standard, Characterized, Discoveries

The myth that John Locke was the philosopher behind the American Republic, is easily refuted by examining how Locke's philosophy steered Thomas Jefferson, for example.

- Robert Trout

Behind, Philosopher, Steered

The level of potential physical productivity of a society depends on both the development of the intellect of its members, and a minimal standard of both demographic characteristics and of consumption.

- Robert Trout

Development, Standard, Consumption

The American Revolution was, in fact, a battle against the philosophy of Locke and the English utilitarians.

- Robert Trout

Battle, Fact, Against, Philosophy

Many Chinese saw opium as a poison introduced by foreign enemies.

- Robert Trout

Chinese, Opium, Introduced, Enemies

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