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Tracy Kidder Quotes

Powerful Tracy Kidder for Daily Growth

About Tracy Kidder

Tracy Kidder (born April 28, 1938) is an American author and journalist who has won two Pulitzer Prizes for his non-fiction works. Born in Hudson, New Hampshire, Kidder studied at Antioch College and Harvard University before embarking on a career as a writer. His journalistic work has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Magazine, and The New York Times Magazine. Kidder is best known for his detailed portraits of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. His first book, "The Source" (1968), was an account of the lives of workers at a factory that produced electronic components. This theme continued in later works like "Mountains Beyond Mountains" (2003) about Dr. Paul Farmer's work with the poor and sick in Haiti, and "Strength in What Remains" (2009) about the life of a Burundian refugee. One of Kidder's most acclaimed works is "The Soul of a New Machine" (1981), which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. The book offers an inside look at the development of the Data General Eagle computer system, providing a fascinating account of technological innovation and its human impact. Another influential work is "Among Schoolchildren" (1989), also a Pulitzer Prize winner. This book follows the lives of eight elementary school students over the course of one academic year, offering insight into the complexities and challenges of education in America. Throughout his career, Tracy Kidder has been praised for his ability to bring the human element to complex topics, and to tell stories that are both engaging and thought-provoking. His work continues to inspire readers and influence contemporary narrative non-fiction.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is mostly a matter of waiting for the right moment and then letting it happen."

This quote by Tracy Kidder highlights the importance of patience and readiness in life. It suggests that while we cannot control many aspects of our lives, we can prepare ourselves to seize opportunities when they present themselves. In essence, he is reminding us to be watchful, alert, and ready, so that when the right moment comes, we are able to act swiftly and effectively. Life's most meaningful experiences often come unexpectedly, so being prepared and open to the world around us allows us to make the most of these moments.

"Every story is a love story — every story is about connections."

This quote by Tracy Kidder suggests that every narrative, regardless of its genre or subject matter, fundamentally revolves around relationships and connections. Whether it's the bond between characters, the connection to ideas or themes, or even the link between readers and the story itself, narratives ultimately serve to explore the human experience through the lens of our interwoven lives. In essence, stories provide us with a unique opportunity to understand and empathize with others by highlighting the universal human need for connections and love.

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

This quote emphasizes that courage isn't merely the lack of fear, but the wise decision to prioritize values, principles, or aspirations over fear. It signifies that fear may be present in any significant endeavor, but courage lies in recognizing that there are aspects more vital than the paralyzing grip of fear, and choosing to act despite it.

"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

This quote by Tracy Kidder emphasizes the importance of preparation over mere desire in achieving success or winning. It suggests that everyone naturally wants to succeed, but it is those who invest time, effort, and energy into preparing for their goals that truly increase their chances of victory. In other words, having a will to win is essential, but the will to prepare to win sets the stage for actual triumph.

"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician—thus the physician must start from nature, with an open mind."

This quote by Tracy Kidder emphasizes that true healing power originates from nature, implying that doctors should approach their practice with a humble, receptive mindset towards natural remedies and processes. It suggests that physicians should view themselves as facilitators of this healing process rather than sole providers of cures, recognizing the inherent wisdom in nature's methods for restoring health.

You do the right thing even if it makes you feel bad. The purpose of life is not to be happy but to be worthy of happiness.

- Tracy Kidder

Happy, Purpose, Bad, Worthy

Continuity is one of the things I like about New England.

- Tracy Kidder

New, England, Like, Continuity

The hardest thing was learning to write. I was 13, and the only writing I had done was for Social Studies. It consisted of copying passages right out of the encyclopedia.

- Tracy Kidder

The Hardest Thing, Social, Encyclopedia

In a very basic way, a prominent landmark such as Mt. Holyoke tells you where you are. They let you know that you're not the first person in a place.

- Tracy Kidder

Way, Very, Prominent, Landmark

Paul Farmer has helped to build amazing health care system in one of the poorest areas of Haiti. He founded Partners in Health, which serves the destitute and the sick in many parts of the world from Haiti to Boston and from Russia to Peru.

- Tracy Kidder

Boston, Sick, Peru, Poorest

If you had an essentially happy childhood, that tends to dwell with you.

- Tracy Kidder

Happy, Childhood, Had, Tends

I never planned on doing a book about Paul Farmer or his organization. I met him in Haiti when I was on a magazine assignment. It's almost like his story sort of fell in my lap.

- Tracy Kidder

Doing, Haiti, Almost, Lap

I do believe that enduring geological features are important, though I don't think I can be clear about exactly why.

- Tracy Kidder

Think, Enduring, Though, Geological

I tell beginning readers to read a lot and write a lot. If you want to write a book, find a subject that's really worth the time and effort you'll put in.

- Tracy Kidder

Beginning, Read, Subject, Readers

I usually write about ordinary people and ordinary things, but Paul Farmer is the least ordinary person I've ever met... He's the leader of a small group of people who hope to cure a sick world, and I hope my book can help in some small way.

- Tracy Kidder

Leader, Small, Some, Paul

What interests me is trying to catch the reflection of the human being on the page. I'm interested in how ordinary people live their lives.

- Tracy Kidder

Reflection, Human Being, Ordinary People

What I like about non-fiction is that it covers such a huge territory. The best non-fiction is also creative.

- Tracy Kidder

Like, About, Huge, Territory

When I select a topic, it's usually a commitment of two to three years of my life.

- Tracy Kidder

Commitment, My Life, Select, Topic

The combination of domesticity and wildness - that's a deep expression.

- Tracy Kidder

Deep, Expression, Wildness, Combination

Being a professional writer is not an easy way to make a living.

- Tracy Kidder

Living, Writer, Being, Easy Way

I wrote a novel about the combat experiences I didn't have in Vietnam.

- Tracy Kidder

Combat, About, Wrote, Vietnam

People say you can't teach writing, but I think that's nonsense.

- Tracy Kidder

Think, Teach, I Think, Nonsense

If you live in the same small place long enough, something you don't like is bound to happen.

- Tracy Kidder

Small, Happen, Like, Bound

Things were here before you and will be here after you're gone. The geographic features, especially, give you a sense of your own place in the world and in time.

- Tracy Kidder

Give, Here, Before, Geographic

I want my prose to be as clear as a pane of glass.

- Tracy Kidder

Want, Clear, Prose, Glass

I know that to write you have to have stories you want to tell. You have to keep your mind alive, and you have to work hard.

- Tracy Kidder

Mind, Alive, Stories, Work Hard

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