Elwyn Brooks White, better known as E. B. White, was born on July 11, 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York. A prolific American writer and essayist, he gained fame for his children’s books like “Charlotte’s Web” and “Stuart Little,” which explore themes of life, friendship, and mortality, as well as his humorous essays in “The New Yorker.” White co-authored the influential writing guide “The Elements of Style” and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 for his contributions to literature. His quotes, often drawn from books, essays, interviews, and personal writings, offer timeless reflections on life. In this list, we present 15 insightful quotes from E. B. White that delve into the essence of living, sourced from various points in his career.
15 E. B. White Quotes
1. “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” (Essay, “One Man’s Meat,” 1944)
2. “After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.” (Book, “Charlotte’s Web,” 1952)
3. “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” (Attributed, n.d.)
4. “I would feel more optimistic about the future for our country if I thought that all of us would try to put ourselves in the other fellow’s place.” (Letter to New York Herald Tribune, 1948)
5. “Life’s meaning has always eluded me and I guess always will. But I love it just the same.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1969)
6. “The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” (Book, “The Trumpet of the Swan,” 1970)
7. “Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the pure scientific mind.” (Essay, “The New Yorker,” 1941)
8. “Be obscure clearly.” (Book, “The Elements of Style,” 1959)
9. “I think we should all try to be a little nicer to each other.” (Attributed, n.d.)
10. “The trouble with the world is that it’s always one drink behind.” (Essay, “One Man’s Meat,” 1942)
11. “Life is like a boat: it must have weight to ride the waves.” (Attributed, n.d.)
12. “We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy.” (Essay, “The New Yorker,” 1950)
13. “The city is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo.” (Essay, “Here Is New York,” 1949)
14. “Death is the only pure, beautiful conclusion of a great passion.” (Book, “Charlotte’s Web,” 1952)
15. “I believe that the world isn’t always kind, but it’s worth fighting for.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1977)
The quotes from E. B. White reveal a man deeply attuned to life’s nuances, blending wit, wisdom, and a gentle reverence for the human experience. They highlight his themes of simplicity, mortality, and the balance between action and appreciation, offering enduring lessons on living authentically. We invite you to share your favorite quote or how White’s words have resonated with you in the comments below.