James Thurber — People

Unlit oil lamp on a low dark tray beside a pale moth and small pale blossoms — Original artwork

But what is all this fear of and opposition to Oblivion? What is the matter with the soft Darkness, the Dreamless Sleep?

James Thurber

Crooked smiling theatrical mask on two blank sealed envelopes, maroon/copper — Original artwork

From now on, I think it is safe to predict, neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party will ever nominate for President a candidate without good looks, stage presence, theatrical delivery, and a sense of timing.

James Thurber

A brass key hangs above a row of small wooden boxes, one with its lid open. — Original artwork

It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.

James Thurber

A small stack of books tied with checked ribbon sits beside a miniature striped hammock. — Original artwork

It is better to have loafed and lost, than never to have loafed at all.

James Thurber

Painterly jester mask and curled party horn with scattered confetti against bright pink. — Original artwork

Laughter need not be cut out of anything, since it improves everything.

James Thurber

A small arrow-shaped weathervane stands on a low sandy mound with stones and tufts of grass. — Original artwork

Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.

James Thurber

Folded paper cranes gather around a narrow glass vase and scatter across a small wooden shelf in soft light. — Original artwork

One great advantage which poetry has over prose—one sense in which, we might even say, it is considerably more beautiful—is that it fills up space approximately three times as rapidly.

James Thurber

An upright feather in a small pale bust surrounded by moss and a green sprout against a slate-gray background. — Original artwork

There is something about a poet which leads us to believe that he died, in many cases, as long as 20 years before his birth.

James Thurber

Cracked gold theatrical mask beside a low cluster of red poppies on dark teal — Original artwork

You can fool too many of the people too much of the time.

James Thurber