Always Mary Oliver. Usually Anne Lamott and William Kent Kruger. Lou Berney. These are the writers I turn to when I’m looking for wisdom. Not that they don’t also tell me fabulous stories, but I find, whether because of the times in which we live or because I’m getting older, that I’m looking for writers who give me insights into life. I need help! Here are some of my favorite “wise” writers, and some of my favorite quotes.
The Wisdom of William Kent Krueger
“And whether you believe in miracles or not, I can guarantee that you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you’ve prayed for. God probably won’t undo what’s been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day.”
― William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace
“The dead are never far from us. They’re in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air.”
― William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace
The Wisdom of Tana French
“My father told me once that the most important thing every man should know is what he would die for.”
― Tana French, Faithful Place
“Only teenagers think boring is bad. Adults, grown men and women who’ve been around the block a few times, know that boring is a gift straight from God. Life has more than enough excitement up its sleeve, ready to hit you with as soon as you’re not looking, without you adding to the drama.”
― Tana French, Broken Harbour
The Wisdom of Fredrik Backman
“They say that a person’s personality is the sum of their experiences. But that isn’t true, at least not entirely, because if our past was all that defined us, we’d never be able to put up with ourselves. We need to be allowed to convince ourselves that we’re more than the mistakes we made yesterday. That we are all of our next choices, too, all of our tomorrows.”
― Fredrik Backman, Anxious People
“If you are honest, people may deceive you. Be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway. All the good you do today will be forgotten by others tomorrow. Do good anyway.”
― Fredrik Backman, Beartown
That’s a lot of wisdom for one morning! How about you? Do you have writers that you turn to for wisdom and comfort? Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
Susan,
Thank you for sharing these quotes. I need all the wisdom I can get.
However, I have to admit it’s not wisdom I seek in the books I choose. These days I’m looking for comfort and distraction from the chaotic world we live in, so little or no tension, maybe some good feelings.