I think it's realistic to have hope. One can be a perverse idealist and say the easiest thing: 'I despair. The world's… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
You know, 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely?' It's the same with powerlessness. Absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely. Einstein said everything had… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
I'm not a Luddite completely; I believe in refrigerators to cool my martinis, and washing machines because I hate to see women… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
I'm not up on the Internet, but I hear that is a democratic possibility. People can connect with each other. I think… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
The people in Coming of Age were far less curmudgeonly than you would think. The greater percentage said that without the young… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
Dorothy Day said - and I'm sure that Kathy Kelly would say the same thing - 'I'm working toward a world in… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
When I put the plate down, you don't hear a sound. When I pick up a glass, I want it to be… — Studs Terkel Copy Share Image
Think of what's stored in an 80- or a 90-year-old mind. Just marvel at it. You've got to get out this information,… — 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
