“They would sit and talk and tell us their hard luck story. Whether it was true or not, we never questioned it. It’s very important you learn people as people are.” — 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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
To survive the day is triumph enough for the walking wounded among the great many of us. — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
“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 Image
All you need in life is truth and beauty and you can find both at the Public Library. — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
Reading a book should not be a passive exercise, but rather a raucous conversation. — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
“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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
