25 Sinclair Lewis Quotes From the Successful American Writer

Learn more about the Nobel Prize-winning writer in these Sinclair Lewis quotes.

Harry Sinclair Lewis was an American writer who was born in Sauk, Centre, Minnesota, in 1885 and died in Rome, Italy, in 1951 at the age of 65.

He was a successful novelist, short-story writer, and playwright, and in 1930 he would go on to become the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

His blend of humor with the ability to develop characters led to popularity with readers.

He was known for his stance against American capitalism and materialism and was a strong proponent of working women.

Some of his best-known works include Main Street, Arrowsmith, and It Can’t Happen Here.

Take a look at these Sinclair Lewis quotes to learn more about the famous writer.

Best Sinclair Lewis Quotes

Enjoy some of Sinclair Lewis’ best quotes.

1. “Most troubles are unnecessary.” — Sinclair Lewis

2. “Now is a fact that cannot be dodged.” — Sinclair Lewis

3. “Winter is not a season, it’s an occupation.” — Sinclair Lewis

4. “Why, America’s the only free nation on earth.” — Sinclair Lewis

5. “It is impossible to discourage the real writers.” — Sinclair Lewis

6. “So much in a revolution is nothing but waiting.” — Sinclair Lewis

7. “I think perhaps we want a more conscious life.” — Sinclair Lewis

8. “What is love? It is the morning and the evening star.” — Sinclair Lewis

9. “She was a woman with a working brain and no work.”  — Sinclair Lewis

10. “It isn’t what you earn, but how you spend it that fixes your class.” — Sinclair Lewis

Interesting Sinclair Lewis Quotes

Sinclair Lewis is known for his interesting novels and stories.

11. “Whatever poet, orator or sage may say of it, old age is still old age.” — Sinclair Lewis

12. “In the plodding course of her life, there was nothing changed, and nothing new.” — Sinclair Lewis

13. “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” — Sinclair Lewis

14. “Whatever the misery, he could not regain contentment with a world which, once doubted, became absurd.” — Sinclair Lewis

15. “I am convinced that everything that is worthwhile in the world has been accomplished by the free, inquiring, critical spirit.” — Sinclair Lewis

16. “A country that tolerates evil means- evil manners, standards of ethics-for a generation, will be so poisoned that it never will have any good end.” — Sinclair Lewis

17. “It has not yet been recorded that any human being has gained a very large or permanent contentment from meditation upon the fact that he is better off than others.” — Sinclair Lewis

Sinclair Lewis Quotes For His Fans 

Check out these quotes that fans of Lewis are sure to love.

18. “We’d get sick on too many cookies, but ever so much sicker on no cookies at all.” — Sinclair Lewis

19. “Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead.” — Sinclair Lewis

20. “In Gopher Prairie, it is not good form to be holy except at a church, between ten-thirty and twelve on Sunday.” — Sinclair Lewis

21. “When audiences come to see us authors lecture, it is largely in the hope that we’ll be funnier to look at than to read.” — Sinclair Lewis

22. “Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.” — Sinclair Lewis

23. “Advertising is a valuable economic factor because it is the cheapest way of selling goods, particularly if the goods are worthless.” — Sinclair Lewis

24. “When fascism comes to the United States, it will be wrapped in the American flag and will claim the name of 100-percent Americanism.” — Sinclair Lewis

25. “There are two insults which no human being will endure: The assertion that he hasn’t a sense of humor, and the doubly impertinent assertion that he has never known trouble.” — Sinclair Lewis

Sinclair Lewis’ Personal Life

Lewis had a difficult childhood with an inattentive father, a mother who passed away when he was only six years old, and an inability to make friends.

Fortunately for Lewis, he found he was a skilled writer, and this led him to get a degree at Yale and then have a successful career.

He was married and divorced twice and died of alcoholism at the age of 65.

Please share these Sinclair Lewis quotes with others by clicking the share button!