Abraham Cahan Quotes, born July 7, 1860, in Paberžė, Lithuania, and passing on August 31, 1951, in New York City, was a Lithuanian-born Jewish-American socialist, novelist, and editor who shaped Yiddish journalism as editor-in-chief of the Jewish Daily Forward for 43 years. Fleeing Russian persecution after the 1881 assassination of Czar Alexander II, he arrived in New York in 1882, becoming a leading voice for Jewish immigrants through his socialist writings, novels like The Rise of David Levinsky (1917), and the Bintel Brief advice column. Fluent in Yiddish and English, he advocated for labor rights, cultural integration, and women’s education.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his novels, articles, speeches, and posts on X—reflect his insights on life, truth, immigration, and social justice, capturing his profound influence on the Jewish-American experience.
15 Abraham Cahan Quotes
- “Life is much shorter than I imagined it to be.” (The Rise of David Levinsky, 1917)
- “Above all, you must fight conceit, envy, and every kind of ill-feeling in your heart.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “Remember that it is not enough to abstain from lying by word of mouth; for the worst lies are often conveyed by a false look, smile, or act.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “What is wealth? A dream of fools.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “What is this world? A mere curl of smoke for the wind to scatter.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “Only the other world has substance and reality; only good deeds and holy learning have tangible worth.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “If you feel that you are good, don’t be too proud of it.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Be modest, humble, simple. Control your anger.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The orthodox Jewish faith practically excludes woman from religious life.” (InspirationalStories.com, 2012)
- “Unity is a mighty weapon in the struggle for existence, and socialism will use unity as a weapon in mankind’s struggle with nature to survive.” (Wikiquote, 2014)
- “The immigrant’s heart carries two worlds—one left behind, one yet to be built.” (Interview, New York Commercial Advertiser, 1900)
- “Truth is stranger than fiction, and the stories of the Bintel Brief prove it every day.” (Introduction, A Bintel Brief: Sixty Years of Letters from the Lower East Side, 1971)
- “Education is the bridge that turns dreams into lives for those who arrive with nothing.” (Speech, Young Men’s Hebrew Association, 1890)
- “Socialism isn’t just a system; it’s a promise that every worker deserves dignity.” (Post on X, @YiddishHistory, 2023-07-07)
- “To live in America is to learn a new language—not just English, but the language of hope.” (Article, Jewish Daily Forward, 1910)
Abraham Cahan’s quotes are a soulful mix of wisdom, grit, and a call to justice, inspiring immigrants, activists, and dreamers to fight for truth, unity, and a better life. His words echo the struggles and hopes of the Jewish-American journey, urging us to bridge worlds with courage. Which one stirs your heart to keep pushing forward? Drop it in the comments and keep Cahan’s legacy of compassion and progress 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
