They may be a mere snippet, but quotes can stand alone unlike a novel can. This is what makes them so special. They are also easy to remember, satisfying to read, and can teach us valuable lessons. Here is a list of my 10 favorite quotes that every college student can learn from.
1. "Modoc" by Ralph Helfer.
“When man chooses to develop his innate power of communication with nature and therefore hear the voice, all will be right with the world – we will be as one. What you have been able to do with your Modoc is what man has been seeking for a long time. To communicate with nature through animals.”
While I adore Helfer's novel in that it shows the loving relationship between an elephant and its master, his words express much more meaning on what it takes to communicate with the world.
2. "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.
“The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving.”
I can relate to this quote immensely for when I find myself in a conflicting situation, I too find it difficult to decide which choice is better for myself.
3. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
It has been a long-lived dream of mine to own a house with a library in it! This quote from one of my favorite novels accurately portrays my passion of reading, something we scholars should all appreciate.
4. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak.
“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant."
Markus Zusak's quote is so poetic and haunting. Spoken from the perspective of death itself, this quote remains a memorable one.
5. "Looking for Alaska" by John Green.
“I may die young, but at least I'll die smart.”
John Green is known for his relatable and humorous works. This quote takes a spin on the famous "die young, die dumb" that I find entertaining and refreshing.
6. "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin.
“She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves… They belonged to her and were her own, and she entertained the conviction that she had a right to them and they concerned no one but herself.”
I found it hard to narrow the beautiful work of Kate Chopin down to one quote. I eventually decided on this one because it spoke the truth of a woman's burden we still are afraid to discuss as a society.
7. "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler.
“I think we should stop asking people in their twenties what they 'want to do and start asking them what they don’t want to do.”
As a college student, I could not agree more with this advice. There is too much pressure on figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life in your twenties. Thank you, Amy Poehler.
8. "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank.
“Because paper has more patience than people.”
As an avid reader and writer myself, Anne Frank expresses my love for the power of pen and paper. Sometimes it is easier to deal with the fictional world than the real world.
9. "Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter.
“All we have is the story we tell. Everything we do, every decision we make, our strength, weakness, motivation, history, and character-what we believe-none of it is real; it's all part of the story we tell. But here's the thing: it's our goddamned story!"
When I am feeling down in the dumps, I like to think of this quote. It reminds me how each and every little thing we do adds to our story, and that I have the power to learn from or change my story.
10. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of (another)... There are just some kind of men who - who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.”
Harper Lee's wise words keep me accountable for living in the moment and appreciating what God has offered me today. What's the point of looking forward to an afterlife if the blessings of current life are so easily ignored?
