John Hersey Quotes

The crux of the matter is whether total war in its present form is justifiable, even when it serves a just purpose. Does it not have material and spiritual evil as its consequences which far exceed whatever good might result? When will our moralists give us an answer to this question?

~ John Hersey

It seems logical that he who supports total war in principle cannot complain of a war against civilians.

~ John Hersey

The price one pays for having a kind man at one’s elbow.

~ John Hersey

Do not work primarily for money; do your duty to patients first and let the money follow; our life is short, we don't live twice; the whirlwind will pick up the leaves and spin them, but then it will drop them and they will form a pile.

~ John Hersey

It's a failure of national vision when you regard children as weapons, and talents as materials you can mine, assay, and fabricate for profit and defense.

~ John Hersey

Dr. Wyman preached a God I couldn’t quite see in my mind, and certainly couldn’t love. I dimly pictured some kind of Grandfather, who dealt out to bad people their awful “just deserts,” which I thought must be poisoned food at the end of delicious meals.

~ John Hersey

The reality is that changes are coming. ... They must come. You must share in bringing them.

~ John Hersey

Journalism allows it's readers to witness history. Fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it.

~ John Hersey

What has kept the world safe from the bomb since 1945 has not been deterrence, in the sense of fear of specific weapons, so much as it's been memory. The memory of what happened at Hiroshima.

~ John Hersey