Studs Terkel Quotes

• Someone who does an act. In a democratic society, you’re supposed to be an activist; that is, you participate. It could be a letter written to an editor.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Society

  Tags in Act

• When you become part of something, in some way you count. It could be a march; it could be a rally, even a brief one. You’re part of something, and you suddenly realize you count. To count is very important.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Become, Part

• We are the most powerful nation in the world, but we’re not the only nation in the world. We are not the only people in the world. We are an important people, the wealthiest, the most powerful and, to a great extent, generous. But we are part of the world.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in People, World

• We use the word ‘hope’ perhaps more often than any other word in the vocabulary: ‘I hope it’s a nice day.’ ‘Hopefully, you’re doing well.’ ‘So how are things going along? Pretty good. Going to be good tomorrow? Hope so.’

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Hope, Word

• Why are we born? We’re born eventually to die, of course. But what happens between the time we’re born and we die? We’re born to live. One is a realist if one hopes.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Born, Die

• That’s why I wrote this book: to show how these people can imbue us with hope. I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action, his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It’s like a tonic.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Show

• With optimism, you look upon the sunny side of things. People say, ‘Studs, you’re an optimist.’ I never said I was an optimist. I have hope because what’s the alternative to hope? Despair? If you have despair, you might as well put your head in the oven.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Optimism

• You happen to be talking to an agnostic. You know what an agnostic is? A cowardly atheist.

  Studs Terkel

  Topics in Uncategorized

  Tags in Talking

• Perhaps it is this specter that most haunts working men and women: the planned obsolescence of people that is of a piece with the planned obsolescence of the things they make. Or sell.

  Studs Terkel

  Tags in Material Possessions, Injustice

Studs Terkel (29)

Birth:	16th May, 1912
Death:	31st October, 2008
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Actor, Author, Broadcaster, Historian

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Births

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Deaths

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• 1992 - Sterling Price Holloway Jr.
• 1992 - Sterling Price Holloway Jr.
• 1996 - Ray Blanton