Ordinary' is a word I loathe. It has a patronizing air. I have come across ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
What I bring to the interview is respect. The person recognizes that you respect them because you're listening. Because you're listening, they feel good about talking to you. When someone tells me a thing that happened, what do I feel… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
“It was in ’35—we had this campaign to raise a million tax dollars. In the town of Phillips, one evening, during a blizzard, I… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action, his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It's… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
I never drove a car. I'm hopeless that way. I press the wrong buttons on the tape recorder. But if the person I'm interviewing… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
To survive the day is triumph enough for the walking wounded among the great many of us. — Studs Terkel Copy Share
“I’ll never forget that Depression Easter Sunday. Our son was four years old. I bought ten or fifteen cents’ worth of eggs. You didn’t… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
All you need in life is truth and beauty and you can find both at the Public Library. — Studs Terkel Copy Share
Reading a book should not be a passive exercise, but rather a raucous conversation. — Studs Terkel Copy Share
“The total cost of the Federal Arts Project was only $23 million. Many of these paintings, sculptures and prints were given to museums, courthouses,… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
I find labels "liberal" and "conservative" of little meaning. Our language has become perverted along with the thoughts of many of us. — Studs Terkel Copy Share
“Who knows Bob’s name in this outfit—let alone his lame child’s? (“The last place I worked for, I was let go,” recalls the bank… — Studs Terkel Copy Share
The trouble with censorship is that once it starts it is hard to stop. Just about every book contains something that someone objects to. — Studs Terkel Copy Share
