Who said “I always begin at the left with the opening word of the sentence and read toward the…”?

Verified

James Thurber. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceMemo to The New Yorker (1959); reprinted in New York Times Book Review (4 December 1988)

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“I always begin at the left with the opening word of the sentence and read toward the right and I recommend this method.”
— James Thurber
VerifiedMemo to The New Yorker (1959); reprinted in New York Times Book Review (4 December 1988) · evidenceBooks and Reading
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Memo to The New Yorker (1959); reprinted in New York Times Book Review (4 December 1988).

APA

Thurber, J. (n.d.). I always begin at the left with the opening word of the sentence and read toward the right and I recommend this method. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8646-i-always-begin-at-the-left-with-the/

MLA

Thurber, James. “I always begin at the left with the opening word of the sentence and read toward the right and I recommend this method.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8646-i-always-begin-at-the-left-with-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Thurber, James. “I always begin at the left with the opening word of the sentence and read toward the right and I recommend this method.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8646-i-always-begin-at-the-left-with-the/.

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