Alden Nowlan Quotes, born January 25, 1933, in Stanley, Nova Scotia, and died June 27, 1983, was a Canadian poet, novelist, playwright, and journalist whose raw, honest work captured the struggles and beauty of rural life. Raised in poverty, largely self-educated after leaving school at ten, Nowlan’s poetry and prose, including award-winning collections like Bread, Wine and Salt (1967), reflect his Nova Scotian roots and empathy for ordinary people. His writing, marked by plainspoken emotion, earned him the Governor General’s Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. These 15 quotes—sourced from his poems, interviews, and prose—illuminate his insights on life, growth, resilience, and humanity, embodying his unflinching yet compassionate voice.
15 Alden Nowlan Quotes
- “The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.” (Between Tears and Laughter, “Scratchings,” 1971)
- “Growing up is never straightforward. There are moments when everything is fine, and other moments where you realize that there are certain memories that you’ll never get back.” (Prose, quoted on inspiringquotes.us, n.d.)
- “For those who belong nowhere, and for those who belong to one place too much to belong anywhere else.” (Alden Nowlan: Selected Poems, quoted on goodreads.com, n.d.)
- “My country has no history, only a past.” (Prose, quoted on quotetab.com, n.d.)
- “Being a foreigner is not a disease.” (Prose, quoted on brainyquote.com, n.d.)
- “I come in from a walk / With you / And they ask me / If it is raining. / I didn’t notice / But I’ll have to give them / The right answer / Or they’ll think I’m crazy.” (Poem, “The Masks of Love,” Selected Poems, quoted on goodreads.com, n.d.)
- “Offhand, the only North American writers I can think of who have come from a background of rural poverty and gone on to write about it have been Negroes.” (Prose, quoted on azquotes.com, n.d.)
- “As long as you read this poem / I will be writing it.” (Alden Nowlan: Selected Poems, quoted on goodreads.com, n.d.)
- “December is thirteen months long, / July’s one afternoon.” (Selected Poems, quoted on aamboli.com, n.d.)
- “In the face of adversity, true strength is found in the power to rise again.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
- “The human heart is a garden, constantly in need of tending and nourishment.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
- “Sometimes, the loudest words are the ones left unsaid.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
- “Hope is a flame that can never be extinguished if we allow it to burn within us.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
- “We all carry scars, but it’s how we wear them that defines us.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
- “Love is not a game to be won or lost, but a deep connection that grows within the soul.” (Prose, quoted on bookey.app, 2023)
Alden Nowlan’s quotes weave raw honesty, resilience, and quiet wisdom, urging readers to embrace their scars, find strength in adversity, and cherish life’s fleeting connections. Which quote speaks to your heart or stirs your resolve? Share it below and keep Nowlan’s poetic legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
