Sydney J. Harris

Sydney J. Harris – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Read about Sydney J. Harris (1917–1986), the American journalist and columnist whose “Strictly Personal” essays reached millions. Discover his life, work, worldview, and memorable sayings.

Introduction

Sydney Justin Harris was a beloved American journalist, known for his thoughtful, human-centered columns and lively aphorisms. His syndicated column Strictly Personal appeared in hundreds of newspapers and his reflections on education, communication, society, and the inner life still resonate today. In this article, we explore his biography, career, influence, personality, and some of his most enduring quotations.

Early Life and Family

Sydney J. Harris was born on September 14, 1917, in London, England. Chicago.

He attended public schools in Chicago. He did not, however, follow a conventional academic trajectory. Some sources suggest his formal education was limited; his path was shaped more by journalistic practice than by prolonged formal study.

Harris maintained close friendships (notably with Saul Bellow) from his youth. Chicago and Door County, Wisconsin.

Career and Achievements

Early Journalism

At the age of about 17 (in 1934), Harris began working in newspapers, starting with the Chicago Herald & Examiner.

Strictly Personal and Syndication

In 1944, Harris began writing his column for the Chicago Daily News, which later became Strictly Personal. Chicago Sun-Times. 200 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada.

He also wrote feature essays under titles like “Things I Learned En Route to Looking Up Other Things.”

Books and Collections

Harris published 11 books (collections of essays, reflections, and observations) over his career. Some of his prominent titles include:

• Strictly Personal

• Majority of One

• Last Things First

• On the Contrary

• Leaving the Surface

• For the Time Being

• Pieces of Eight

• Clearing the Ground

• Winners and Losers

• The Authentic Person: Dealing with Dilemma

• Would You Believe?

His collections often aggregate earlier columns and include additional commentary, reflections, and expanded thoughts.

Views, Recognition & Advocacy

Harris was broadly considered liberal in his politics. civil rights, women’s rights, and he was even listed on Nixon’s master list of political opponents.

One of his last columns argued against capital punishment.

He also served in roles such as drama critic, lecturer, and teacher, and received honorary doctorates from several institutions.

Harris was a member of the Usage Panel for the American Heritage Dictionary, helping guide judgments about common usage.

He died on December 8, 1986 (some sources say Dec 7).

Historical & Cultural Context

Harris wrote during a time when newspapers and syndicated columns held major influence over public discourse—mid-20th century America through the 1980s. His style—blending wit, moral reflection, social critique, and human insight—resonated in an era of social change: civil rights, gender equity, evolving media, and cultural shifts.

While many columnists staked out sharp partisan positions, Harris often sought a middle ground—commenting on human nature, communication, integrity, and the tensions of modern life. His use of aphorism and occasional cynicism gave his writing both punch and reflection. In an age before social media and fragmented public discourse, his voice offered continuity, civility, and reflection.

Legacy and Influence

• Voice of the “common wisdom”: Harris’s style—accessibility without dumbing down, moral reflection without sermonizing—continues to influence columnists and essayists.

• Timeless aphorisms: Many of his sayings are still quoted, especially on education, communication, change, and self-knowledge.

• Model of journalistic conscience: He resisted sensationalism; he held to civility, curiosity, and intellectual honesty.

• Crossing generations: His work remains in print, anthologized, and quoted in educational and inspirational contexts.

Personality and Talents

From his writings and accounts, we can discern traits such as:

• Observant & reflective: He had a knack for noticing the small but telling details in life and society.

• Witty & aphoristic: Many of his lines are memorable because they compress insight into compact form.

• Balanced & moderate: He avoided extremes, often pointing out paradoxes and tensions rather than easy answers.

• Humanistic & generous: He showed deep regard for human dignity, learning, and the possibility of growth.

• Curious & intellectually humble: His essays often show openness to learning, self-examination, and revision.

Famous Quotes of Sydney J. Harris

Here are some of his most enduring and often-quoted lines (with sources):

• “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”

• “When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’”

• “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.”

• “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.’”

• “If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?”

• “A winner rebukes and forgives; a loser is too timid to rebuke and too petty to forgive.”

• “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.”

• “The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”

• “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.”

• “Knowledge fills a large brain; it merely inflates a small one.”

These quotations reflect recurring themes: growth, humility, communication, paradox, and human character.

Lessons from Sydney J. Harris

1. Seek clarity, not cleverness
   Harris often reminds us that good writing (and thinking) is clear, not just ornate.

2. Value communication over mere information
   He distinguishes between giving out data and truly reaching others.

3. Embrace moral courage
   Acts such as admitting wrong or including the excluded take moral backbone.

4. Be aware of change’s paradox
   We often desire improvement without realizing that change can be unsettling.

5. Know yourself
   Many of his reflections emphasize the importance of self-understanding as a foundation for interacting with the world.

6. Moderation is wisdom
   Instead of extremes, he often pointed out the tensions and balance needed in life.

7. Cultivate forgiveness and correction
   He believed in affirming others while not shying from critique, when needed, in loving ways.

Conclusion

Sydney J. Harris may not be as universally famous today as in his mid-20th century heyday, but his voice continues to echo in quotations, columns, and the memory of readers who valued kindness, insight, wit, and moral reflection. His life as journalist, thinker, and humanist offers a template for public writing that blends empathy, curiosity, and ethical conviction.