Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the conflict between rational understanding and emotional attachment to one's country.
Sinclair Lewis expresses a dual perspective on America: while he acknowledges intellectually that no country is superior to another, he emotionally feels a deep pride and belief that America stands out among nations. This underscores the complexity of national identity, where logic and emotion coexist and often conflict, highlighting how feelings can shape our perception of a place despite rational arguments to the contrary.
In practice
In a speech about national identity, one might use this quote to illustrate the emotional connection people have with their country.
Upon this theology he rarely pondered. The kernel of his practical religion was that it was respectable, and beneficial to one's business, to be seen going to services; that the church kept the Worst Elements from being still worse; and that the pastor's sermons, however dull they might seem at the time of taking, yet had a voodooistic power which 'did a fellow good-- kept him in touch with Higher Things.
Writers kid themselves-about themselves and other people. Take the talk about writing methods. Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type with your toes-it is just work.
She did her work with the thoroughness of a mind which reveres details and never quite understands them.
Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type or write with your toes-it's still just work.
It is, I think, an error to believe that there is any need of religion to make life seem worth living.
There are dozens of young poets and fictioneers most of them a little insane in the tradition of James Joyce, who, however insane they may be, have refused to be genteel and traditional and dull.
I am not tired of my work, neither am I tired of the world; yet, when Christ calls me home, I shall go with gladness.
Quand celui à qui l'on parle ne comprend pas et celui qui parle ne se comprend pas, c'est de la métaphysique When he to whom a person speaks does not understand, and he who speaks does not understand himself, that is metaphysics.
To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.
The more complex the network is, the more complex its pattern of interconnections, the more resilient it will be.
But the conceited man did not hear him. Conceited people never hear anything but praise.
I have often been asked, Do not people bore you? I do not understand quite what that means. I suppose the calls of the stupid and curious, especially of newspaper reporters, are always inopportune. I also dislike people who try to talk down to my understanding. They are like people who when walking with you try to shorten their steps to suit yours; the hypocrisy in both cases is equally exasperating.
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