---
title: "18 Unhappy childhood Quotes by 17 authors"
description: "Browse 18 Unhappy childhood quotes by 17 authors. Discover the best Unhappy childhood sayings and thoughts."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/886/james-blunt-6259_childhood_i-haven-t-had-the-difficulties-in-my-lif_3048868.png"
---

> [I haven't had the difficulties in my life that other people have had. I didn't have an unhappy childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-blunt/i-haven-t-had-the-difficulties-in-my-life-that-other-people-have-had/)

[James Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-blunt/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/886/james-blunt-6259_childhood_i-haven-t-had-the-difficulties-in-my-lif_3048868.png)

> [Communists are people who fancied that they had an unhappy childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/communists-are-people-who-fancied-that-they-had-an-unhappy-childhood/)

[Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/gertrude-stein-667_childhood_communists-are-people-who-fancied-that-t_2263345.jpg)

> [Mice: What is the best early training for a writer? Y.C.: An unhappy childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/mice-what-is-the-best-early-training-for-a-writer-y-c-an-unhappy/)

[Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/ernest-hemingway-83_childhood_mice-what-is-the-best-early-training-for_138868.jpg)

> [That is why we dread children, even if we love them. They show us the state of our decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/that-is-why-we-dread-children-even-if-we-love-them-they-show-us-the/)

[Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/brian-aldiss-13847_childhood_that-is-why-we-dread-children-even-if-we_2469322.jpg)

> [A Message to Children Who Have Read This Book - When you grow up and have children of your own, do please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/a-message-to-children-who-have-read-this-book-when-you-grow-up-and/)

[Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b9/roald-dahl-899_bad-parenting_a-message-to-children-who-have-read-this_2713939.jpg)

> [I am convinced that, except in a few extraordinary cases, one form or another of an unhappy childhood is essential to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thornton-wilder/i-am-convinced-that-except-in-a-few-extraordinary-cases-one-form-or/)

[Thornton Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thornton-wilder/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bd/thornton-wilder-1495_cases_i-am-convinced-that-except-in-a-few-extr_103929.jpg)

> [You're meant to have an unhappy childhood to be a writer, but there's a lot to be said for a very happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/you-re-meant-to-have-an-unhappy-childhood-to-be-a-writer-but-there-s-2/)

[Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/emma-donoghue-1499_childhood_you-re-meant-to-have-an-unhappy-childhoo_2764581.png)

> [People who've had happy childhoods are wonderful, but they're bland... An unhappy childhood compels you to use your imagination to create a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-grafton/people-who-ve-had-happy-childhoods-are-wonderful-but-they-re-bland-an/)

[Sue Grafton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-grafton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cc/sue-grafton-1640_age_people-who-ve-had-happy-childhoods-are-w_1803642.png)

> [People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents you for yourself, nothing is left but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/people-who-ve-had-very-unhappy-childhoods-are-pretty-good-at/)

[John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c43/john-le-carre-651_inventing_people-who-ve-had-very-unhappy-childhood_2231137.jpg)

> [You're meant to have an unhappy childhood to be a writer, but there's a lot to be said for a very happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/you-re-meant-to-have-an-unhappy-childhood-to-be-a-writer-but-there-s/)

[Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/emma-donoghue-1499_childhood_you-re-meant-to-have-an-unhappy-childhoo_1102765.png)

> [I don't think I was awake for much of my childhood. I did a lot of napping. This might have been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/i-don-t-think-i-was-awake-for-much-of-my-childhood-i-did-a-lot-of/)

[Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/michael-ian-black-3765_about_i-don-t-think-i-was-awake-for-much-of-my_2099027.jpg)

> [(An unhappy childhood was not) an unsuitable preparation for my future, in that it demanded a constant wariness, the habit of observation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/an-unhappy-childhood-was-not-an-unsuitable-preparation-for-my-future/)

[Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/rudyard-kipling-527_action_an-unhappy-childhood-was-not-an-unsuitab_403994.png)

> [They say that to be a writer you must first have an unhappy childhood. I don't know if unhappiness is necessary, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-rylant/they-say-that-to-be-a-writer-you-must-first-have-an-unhappy-childhood/)

[Cynthia Rylant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-rylant/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/cynthia-rylant-21571_always-trying_they-say-that-to-be-a-writer-you-must-fi_166744.jpg)

> [Arthuriana has become a genre in itself, more like TV soap opera where people think they know the characters. All that's fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moorcock/arthuriana-has-become-a-genre-in-itself-more-like-tv-soap-opera-where/)

[Michael Moorcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moorcock/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ce/michael-moorcock-8974_arthur_arthuriana-has-become-a-genre-in-itself_1560859.jpg)

> [“Redwing had read somewhere that one of his favourite writers, Ernest Hemingway, had been asked what was the best training for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-benford/redwing-had-read-somewhere-that-one-of-his-favourite-writers-ernest/)

[Gregory Benford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-benford/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/gregory-benford-6934_books_redwing-had-read-somewhere-that-one-of-h_489340.jpg)

> [To be a social success, do not act pathetic, arrogant, or bored. Do not discuss your unhappy childhood, your visit to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/to-be-a-social-success-do-not-act-pathetic-arrogant-or-bored-do-not/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/mason-cooley-92_arrogant_to-be-a-social-success-do-not-act-pathet_1443816.jpg)

> [“You’ve already said that,” Alex says. “Why should I go?” “You’re the only person I have,” I say. “And I want us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaui-hart-hemmings/you-ve-already-said-that-alex-says-why-should-i-go-you-re-the-only/)

[Kaui Hart Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaui-hart-hemmings/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/kaui-hart-hemmings-13772_alex-king_you-ve-already-said-that-alex-says-why-s_2224004.png)

> [ “The BFMSS \[British False Memory Syndrome Society\] The founder of the 'false memory' movement in Britain is an accused father. Two of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beatrix-campbell/the-bfmss-british-false-memory-syndrome-society-the-founder-of-the/)

[Beatrix Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beatrix-campbell/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/beatrix-campbell-36463_abuser_the-bfmss-british-false-memory-syndrome_1769725.jpg)

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                        "text": "I don't think I was awake for much of my childhood. I did a lot of napping. This might have been a defensive measure against encroaching depression. Until about the age of eleven or twelve, I had zero interests other than trying to steal gumballs from supermarket gumball machines.",
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                        "text": "(An unhappy childhood was not) an unsuitable preparation for my future, in that it demanded a constant wariness, the habit of observation, and the attendance on moods and tempers; the noting of discrepancies between speech and action; a certain reserve of demeanour; and automatic suspicion of sudden favours.",
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                        "text": "They say that to be a writer you must first have an unhappy childhood. I don't know if unhappiness is necessary, but I think maybe some children who have suffered a loss too great for words grow up into writers who are always trying to find those words, trying to find a meaning for the way they have lived",
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                        "text": "Arthuriana has become a genre in itself, more like TV soap opera where people think they know the characters. All that's fair enough, but it does remove the mythic power of the feminine and masculine principles. So I prefer it in its original form, even if you have to wade through Mallory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' - people smashing people for pages and pages! It still has the resonances of myth about it, which makes it work for me. I don't want to know if Mordred led an unhappy childhood or not.",
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                        "text": "“Redwing had read somewhere that one of his favourite writers, Ernest Hemingway, had been asked what was the best training for a novelist. He had said “an unhappy childhood.” Redwing had enjoyed a fine time growing up, but he wondered if this whole expedition was unfolding more like a novel, and would be blamed on one person, one character, the guy in charge: him. Maybe you got a happy childhood and then an unhappy adulthood, and that’s how novels worked.”",
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                        "text": "To be a social success, do not act pathetic, arrogant, or bored. Do not discuss your unhappy childhood, your visit to the dentist,the shortcomings of your cleaning woman, the state of your bowels, or your spouse's bad habits. You will be thought a paragon (or perhaps a monster) of good behavior.",
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                        "text": "“You’ve already said that,” Alex says. “Why should I go?” “You’re the only person I have,” I say. “And I want us all to be together. It will be good for us.” “Oh, so now I’m back in the picture again.” “Alex. Something bigger than you is occurring right now. I’m sorry about your unhappy childhood.” She glares at me in that special way of hers and Joanie’s that makes me feel worthless and foul-smelling. “So we’ll tell Scottie we’re going on a vacation while Mom is in the hospital?” “It’s for a day or two,” I say. “Scottie’s been in the hospital every day for almost a month now. She needs a break. It’s not good for her. I’d like you to be in charge of answering any questions she may have. She looks up to you. She’ll hang on whatever you say.” I’m hoping a leadership role, a specific chore, will make Alex act like an adult and treat Scottie well. “Can you do that?” She shrugs. “If you can’t handle things, let me know. I’ll help. I’m here for you.” Alex laughs. I wonder if there are parents who can say things to their kids like “I love you” or “I’m here for you” without being laughed at. I have to admit it’s a bit uncomfortable. Affection, in general, is unpleasant to me. “What if Mom doesn’t make it for two days?” “She will,” I say. “I’ll tell her what we’re doing.” Alex looks uncomfortable with this idea, that what I’ll say will make her mother want to live. “I’m bringing Sid,” she says. “If he doesn’t come, then I’m not going.” I’m about to protest, but I see the look in her eyes and know this is yet another battle that I’m bound to lose. Something about this guy is helping her. And Scottie seems to like him. He can keep her distracted. He can work for me. “Okay,” I say. “Deal.”",
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                        "text": "“The BFMSS [British False Memory Syndrome Society] The founder of the 'false memory' movement in Britain is an accused father. Two of his adult daughters say that Roger Scotford sexually abused them in childhood. He denied this and responded by launching a spectacular counter-attack, which enjoyed apparently unlimited and uncritical air time in the mass media and provoke Establishment institutions that had made no public utterance about abuse to pronounce on the accused adults' repudiation of it. p171-172 The 'British False Memory Syndrome Society' lent a scientific aura to the allegations - the alchemy of 'falsehood' and 'memory' stirred with disease and science. The new name pathologised the accusers and drew attention away from the accused. But the so-called syndrome attacked not only the source of the stories but also the alliances between the survivors' movement and practitioners in the health, welfare, and the criminal justice system. The allies were represented no longer as credulous dupes but as malevolent agents who imported a miasma of the 'false memories' into the imaginations of distressed victims. Roger Scotford was a former naval officer turned successful property developer living in a Georgian house overlooking an uninterrupted valley in luscious middle England. He was a rich man and was able to give up everything to devote himself to the crusade. He says his family life was normal and that he had been a 'Dr Spock father'. But his first wife disagrees and his second wife, although believing him innocent, describes his children's childhood as very difficult. His daughters say they had a significantly unhappy childhood. In the autumn of 1991, his middle daughter invited him to her home to confront him with the story of her childhood. She was supported by a friend and he was invited to listen and then leave. She told him that he had abused her throughout her youth. Scotford, however, said that the daughter went to a homeopath for treatment for thrush/candida and then blamed the condition on him. He also said his daughter, who was in her twenties, had been upset during a recent trip to France to buy a property. He said he booked them into a hotel where they would share a room. This was not odd, he insisted, 'to me it was quite natural'. He told journalists and scholars the same story, in the same way, reciting the details of her allegations, drawing attention to her body and the details of what she said he had done to her. Some seemed to find the detail persuasive. Several found it spooky. p172-173”",
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