Sydney J. Harris, born on September 14, 1917, was an influential American journalist, columnist, and author known for his thought-provoking insights and sharp wit. Through his newspaper columns and essays, Harris challenged conventional wisdom, questioned societal norms, and offered fresh perspectives on a wide range of topics, earning him a dedicated readership and a reputation as a prominent social critic.
Born in London, England, Harris immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. He grew up in Chicago, where he developed a passion for writing and eventually pursued a career in journalism. Harris started as a news reporter, but it was his talent as a columnist that gained him widespread recognition and acclaim.
Harris’ most renowned work was his column titled “Strictly Personal,” which he wrote for the Chicago Daily News and later for the Chicago Sun-Times. In this column, Harris explored a diverse range of subjects, from politics and culture to human behavior and interpersonal relationships. He had a remarkable ability to distill complex issues into concise and engaging prose, making his column accessible and appealing to a broad readership.
Harris was not afraid to challenge prevailing beliefs and ideologies, and he often offered fresh perspectives on contemporary issues. His writing displayed a keen intellect and a deep understanding of human nature. Harris was a staunch advocate for critical thinking and encouraged his readers to question their assumptions and examine their own values and actions.
What set Harris apart was not only his insightful commentary but also his unique writing style. He infused his columns with humor, wit, and eloquence, making complex ideas approachable and enjoyable to read. Harris’ ability to balance seriousness with lightheartedness endeared him to his audience and made his columns a delight to peruse.
Throughout his career, Sydney J. Harris influenced countless readers with his thought-provoking columns and essays. He was admired for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience and offer profound observations on the challenges and dilemmas faced by individuals and society as a whole. Harris’ writings continue to resonate with readers, inspiring them to engage in thoughtful reflection and embrace a more compassionate and discerning perspective.
Sydney J. Harris’ contributions to journalism and social commentary have left an enduring impact on readers and fellow writers alike. His incisive observations, eloquent prose, and humorous wit made him a beloved figure in the world of column writing. Harris’ legacy as a thought-provoking columnist and social critic continues to inspire readers to question, explore, and appreciate the complexities of the world around them. As we reflect on his work, we are reminded of the power of words to inspire change and offer profound insights into the human condition.
When I hear somebody say ‘Life is hard’, I am always tempted to ask ‘Compared to what?’
Sydney Harris
People who think they’re generous to a fault usually think that’s their only fault.
Sydney J. Harris
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
Sydney J. Harris
Somebody who never got over the embarrassing fact that he was born in bed with a lady.
Sydney J. Harris
Sometimes the best, and only effective, way to kill an idea is to put it into practice.
Sydney J. Harris
The art of living consists in knowing which impulses to obey and which must be made to obey.
Sydney J. Harris
The beauty of “spacing” children many years apart lies in the fact that parents have time to learn the mistakes that were made with the older ones – which permits them to make exactly the opposite mistakes with the younger ones.
Sydney J. Harris
When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he is uncomfortable with himself; the amount of pain we inflict upon others is directly proportional to the amount we feel within us.
Sydney J. Harris
The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.
Sydney J. Harris
The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say, “I was wrong”.
Sydney J. Harris
Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.
Sydney J. Harris
The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
Sydney J. Harris
The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.
Sydney J. Harris
The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
Sydney J. Harris
There’s no point in burying a hatchet if you’re going to put up a marker on the site.
Sydney J. Harris
When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’
Sydney J. Harris
When we have ‘second thoughts’ about something, our first thoughts don’t seem like thoughts at all – just feelings.
Sydney J. Harris
The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress.
Sydney J. Harris
The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.
Sydney J. Harris
An idealist believes the short run doesn’t count. A cynic believes the long run doesn’t matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.
Sydney J. Harris
Nothing is as easy to make as a promise this winter to do something next summer; this is how commencement speakers are caught.
Sydney J. Harris
The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one’s mind a pleasant place in which to spend one’s leisure.
Sydney J. Harris
Almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that he automatically deserves great success in any field of activity; yet almost everyone believes that he automatically deserves success in marriage.
Sydney J. Harris
Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.
Sydney J. Harris
Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.
Sydney J. Harris
Enemies, as well as lovers, come to resemble each other over a period of time.
Sydney J. Harris
Happiness is a direction, not a place.
Sydney J. Harris
If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?
Sydney J. Harris
Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, “Why not?” and the other, “Why bother?”
Sydney J. Harris
A winner rebukes and forgives; a loser is too timid to rebuke and too petty to forgive.
Sydney J. Harris
Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.
Sydney J. Harris
Ninety per cent of the world’s woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves – so how can we know anyone else?
Sydney J. Harris
Men make counterfeit money; in many more cases, money makes counterfeit men.
Sydney J. Harris
Many a secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by indifference.
Sydney J. Harris
Knowledge fills a large brain; it merely inflates a small one.
Sydney J. Harris
It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.
Sydney J. Harris
Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.
Sydney J. Harris
Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own.
Sydney J. Harris
