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Edith Wharton

Author

1862–1937

Biography

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist and short story writer, renowned for her incisive depictions of upper-class society. She published "The Age of Innocence" in 1920, which won her the Pulitzer Prize, making her the first woman to receive the honor. Wharton's 1905 novel "The House of Mirth" highlighted the struggles of women in a patriarchal society and remains a significant work in American literature. During World War I, she lived in France and contributed to the war effort, earning the French Legion of Honor for her relief work. Wharton's literary career spanned over four decades, producing a substantial body of work that includes novels, short stories, and travel writings.

About

Born January 24, 1862

Died August 11, 1937

Birthplace New York City, United States

Nationality American

Education Self-educated

Resting Place Versailles, France

Popular Quotes

"In any really good subject, one has only to probe deep enough to come to tears."

Wisdom Reflection Understanding Psychology

"The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding."

City life Cultural identity Urban living Metropolitan

"Every formal action or movement carries with it a form of judgment."

Philosophy Ethics Decision-making Behavior

"An unalterable and unquestioned law of the feminine universe runs through all history, whispering inexorably in the ears of women: "Thou shalt be attractive."

Gender roles Female empowerment Social norms Historical perspective

"My little dog—a heartbeat at my feet."

Love Companionship Devotion Loyalty

"There are moments when a man's imagination, so easily subdued to what it lives in, suddenly rises above its daily level with terrific force."

Inspiration Creativity Human nature Imagination

"We can choose to plumb the deep waters or just drift along on the surface."

Personal growth Self-discovery Reflection Individuality

"The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing"

Inspiration Philosophy Self-improvement Wisdom

"Old age, calm, expanded, broad with the haughty breadth of the universe, filled with gladness, quietness, and rests"

Universe Serenity Tranquility Calm

"A curve is more powerful than a sword"

Philosophy Wisdom Strength Influence

"It is a curious thing that every creed promises a paradise which will be absolutely uninhabitable for anyone of civilized taste"

Philosophy Human nature Satire Civilization

"If only we'd stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time"

Philosophy Self-awareness Mindfulness Happiness

"In spite of illness, in spite even of the arch-enemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways"

Personal growth Resilience Positivity Overcoming adversity

"Beware of monotony; it's the mother of all the deadly sins"

Motivation Inspiration Personal growth Life

"The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it"

Wealth Money Economics Prosperity