May Sarton, born on May 3, 1912, in Wondelgem, Belgium, was a renowned American poet, novelist, and memoirist who made significant contributions to literature. Over her prolific career, she authored more than 50 books, including poetry, novels, and journals that explored themes of solitude, love, aging, and personal growth. Sarton received prestigious honors, such as nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and her work has inspired readers with its honest reflections on the human condition. The quotes here are drawn from her books, journals, and interviews, focusing on her insights about life. This curated list presents 15 of her quotes that offer wisdom on life’s challenges and joys.
15 May Sarton Quotes
1. “Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.” (Book, “Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing,” 1965)
2. “We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” (Book, “Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing,” 1965)
3. “May we agree that private life is a good thing, but one must sometimes have a chance to share it?” (Book, “Plant Dreaming Deep,” 1968)
4. “The more articulate one is, the more terrifying it can be to speak.” (Book, “Plant Dreaming Deep,” 1968)
5. “I am not ready to die, but I am learning to trust death.” (Book, “At Seventy,” 1984)
6. “Life is always a rich and steady time when it is lived beside a creative mind.” (Book, “The House by the Sea,” 1977)
7. “To live in a creative way is to live with intensity.” (Book, “A Reckoning,” 1978)
8. “Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within.” (Book, “As We Are Now,” 1973)
9. “One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.” (Book, “A Reckoning,” 1978)
10. “The truth about our own modest reality is often very painful.” (Book, “Recovering,” 1980)
11. “Living alone, one has to make a companion of one’s self.” (Book, “Journal of a Solitude,” 1973)
12. “I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in love.” (Book, “A Shower of Summer Days,” 1952)
13. “The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1983)
14. “Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through.” (Book, “The Education of Harriet Hatfield,” 1989)
15. “In the end, what one has is the pleasure of having known love.” (Book, “Endgame,” 1993)
Through these quotes, May Sarton’s words reveal a profound appreciation for life’s complexities, emphasizing themes of solitude, growth, and human connection. They showcase her reflective nature, encouraging readers to embrace vulnerability and find meaning in everyday experiences. Sarton’s insights remind us that life is a journey of self-discovery and resilience. What resonates with you? Share your thoughts or a favorite quote in the comments below.