Quotes from Esther Forbes

We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skill...we fight, we die, for a simple thing. Only that a man can stand up.

they reminded me of the biggest liar I ever knew personally. Was a farmer, too. Reputation of pretty good farmer at that, but he lied so he had to hire another man to call his pigs.

Most American heroes of the Revolutionary period are by now two men, the actual man and the romantic image. Some are even three men - the actual man, the image, and the debunked remains.

We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skill...we fight, we die, for a simple thing. Only that a man can stand up.

How old are you Johnny she asked. Sixteen. And what's that-a boy or a man? He laughed. A boy in time of peace and a man in time of war.

If you can't do, you'd best shut up about it.

Just like the sun coming up yonder out of the sea, pushing rays of light ahead of it.

On rocky islands gulls woke.

If you can't do, you had best shut up. He started to slam the door, thought better of it. If you can't do, you'd best not slam doors.

And many of the townsfolk of Boston seem more concerned with the profit of their business than the great cause that is swirling around them.

After that Johnny began to watch himself. For the first time he learned to think before he spoke.

It was sink or swim for him—and happens he's swimming.

A man can stand up

The first of the tea ships, the Dartmouth

Hundreds would die, but not the thing they died for.

THE fourteenth of April, 1775.

We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skills . . . we fight, we die, for a simple thing. Only that a man can stand up.

Human relations never seem to stand completely still. This apple, for instance. It might ripen into something better than it now was, or, unromantically, it might rot away in his pocket.

Books are only the shadow and life the real thing. I believe this as strongly as any belief I hold.

I also believe that writing becomes worthwhile and vitalized only through a full and exciting life.

How old are you Johnny" she asked. Sixteen." And what's that-a boy or a man?" He laughed. "A boy in time of peace and a man in time of war.

Hundreds would die, but not the thing they died for.