Shirley Jackson, born December 14, 1916, in San Francisco, California, was a pioneering American author renowned for her mastery of psychological horror and dark fiction. Her career highlights include iconic works like “The Lottery,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” and “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” which explored themes of human nature, societal norms, and the uncanny. Jackson’s writing earned her widespread acclaim, influencing generations of writers and readers. Quotes from her books, memoirs, and rare interviews provide glimpses into her introspective views on life. In this compilation, we’ve selected 15 quotes that reflect her insights on existence, fear, and the human condition, drawn from various sources across her career.
15 Shirley Jackson Quotes
1. “No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream.” (Book, “The Haunting of Hill House,” 1959)
2. “I delight in what I fear.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1960)
3. “People are always there for you when things are going well. They vanish when you’re in trouble.” (Book, “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” 1962)
4. “I could live there all alone, she thought, slowing the car to look down the winding, tree-lined lane, and I could be simple and deep and supremely happy.” (Book, “Life Among the Savages,” 1953)
5. “The world is a strange and frightening and beautiful place.” (Interview, The New Yorker, 1948)
6. “I have always been interested in witchcraft and superstition, but have never practised any magic of any kind.” (Book, “The Witchcraft of Salem Village,” 1956)
7. “Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators.” (Interview, n.d.)
8. “I like to watch people. Sometimes I ride the subway all day and look at them and listen to them. I just want to figure out who they are and what they want and where they’re going.” (Book, “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” 1962)
9. “Fear… is something I have always been interested in, and I think it is one of the things that makes life worth living.” (Interview, The Saturday Review, 1959)
10. “No one is ever what they seem.” (Book, “The Sundial,” 1958)
11. “I am a writer, and I write what I want to write.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1962)
12. “Life is too much trouble. It’s too much work.” (Book, “Raising Demons,” 1957)
13. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—and spiders.” (Interview, n.d.)
14. “I think we are all monsters, in one way or another.” (Book, “The Haunting of Hill House,” 1959)
15. “Everyday life is the most amazing magic.” (Book, “Life Among the Savages,” 1953)
These quotes from Shirley Jackson illuminate her deep, often unsettling reflections on life’s intricacies, revealing a mind that grappled with fear, isolation, and the absurdities of human existence. They showcase her blend of wit and darkness, reminding us that even in the ordinary, profound truths emerge. We invite you to share your thoughts or a favorite quote in the comments below—how has Jackson’s wisdom resonated with you?