JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy: 10 quotes from US Vice President's memoir

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance is part memoir, part social commentary, and entirely compelling. It tells the story of Vance’s turbulent childhood growing up in a working-class Appalachian family in Ohio, shaped by poverty, addiction, and instability.

But more than just a personal journey, the book digs deep into the cultural and emotional struggles of white working-class Americans. Recently, Indian MP for Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, posted about Vance's book. "On a personal note, let me add, as a reader & writer, what a pleasure it was to exchange thoughts with Vice-President @JDVance . His “Hillbilly Elegy” is a remarkable account of an individual rising above the cultural limitations of his socio-economic situation and achieving transcendent success.

It’s an authentically American story, with deep resonance for those struggling to overcome similar challenges in their own countries," Tharoor wrote.With raw honesty, Vance explores how cycles of dysfunction persist, even amid opportunity. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Hillbilly Elegy sparks tough conversations about class, identity, and what it really takes to break free from your roots.

Here are 10 quotes from Hillbilly Elegy

“What separates the successful from the unsuccessful are the expectations that they had for their own lives. Yet the message of the right is increasingly: It's not your fault that you're a loser; it's the government's fault.”

Vance criticizes a victim mindset: blaming external circumstances rather than taking responsibility.

He argues that believing in your own potential matters more than politics. While free-market rhetoric looms large, Vance reminds readers that empowerment starts within: in setting high expectations, not expecting handouts.

“Psychologists call it ‘learned helplessness’ when a person believes, as I did during my youth, that the choices I made had no effect on the outcomes in my life.”

That quote captures the emotional weight of poverty: the subconscious belief that nothing you do can change your destiny. Vance battled this mindset until the Marine Corps offered structure and purpose.

It’s a dramatic illustration of how discipline and stability can transform perceived fates.

“Whenever people ask me what I’d most like to change about the white working class, I say, ‘The feeling that our choices don’t matter.’”

Here, Vance zeroes in on mindset again—the power of internal belief. His critique isn't just about economics or policy; it's cultural and psychological. Breaking out of a trapped mindset, he argues, requires internal work: valuing personal agency even when wider systems feel stacked against you.

“They want us to be shepherds to these kids. But no one wants to talk about the fact that many of them are raised by wolves.”

This line reveals Vance’s frustration with simplistic solutions.

Teachers are asked to uplift children from chaotic homes, but society refuses to address family dysfunction. His metaphor emphasizes how deep-rooted social issues lie beneath surface-level fixes—requiring a holistic approach, not just educational funding.

“If you believe that hard work pays off, then you work hard; if you think it’s hard to get ahead even when you try, then why try at all?”

Vance differentiates between cultural beliefs and self-fulfilling outcomes. Hard work only works in a cultural environment that values and expects effort.

His wider message: society must cultivate beliefs that propel individuals forward—otherwise, the effort dies before it starts.

“For kids like me, the part of the brain that deals with stress and conflict is always activated… We are constantly ready to fight or flee.”

V

ance describes the physiological effects of growing up in chaos. His body was always on high alert. This hyper-vigilance extended into adulthood until he learned coping mechanisms. It's a powerful illustration of how childhood environments physically shape our stress responses.

“Pajamas? Poor people don’t wear pajamas. We fall asleep in our underwear or blue jeans.”

This quirky line speaks volumes about cultural stigma. Clothing becomes a marker of class and self-worth. Vance shows how poverty isn’t just a lack of money—it’s also a lack of perceived self-esteem. Small habits like pajamas become symbols of aspiration or shame.

“We don’t study as children, and we don’t make our kids study when we’re parents… We might get angry with them, but we never give them the tools—like peace and quiet at home—to succeed.”

Here, Vance criticizes his own culture’s approach to education. Discipline isn’t enough; supportive environments matter. Poverty isn’t just external—it’s also internalized in home tensions.

He argues that upward mobility requires learning structures, not just financial means.

“Social mobility isn’t just about money and economics, it’s about a lifestyle change… almost everything about your old life becomes unfashionable at best or unhealthy at worst.”

Vance pushes back against the "American Dream" myth by emphasizing culture shock that accompanies upward mobility. It’s not just money that changes—it’s peers, behaviors, values. Integration into new socio-economic circles demands adaptability—something purely economic solutions often ignore.

“I don’t believe in epiphanies… Transformation is harder than a moment… I’ve seen far too many people awash in a genuine desire to change only to lose their mettle when they realized just how difficult change actually is.”

A powerful final note. Vance condemns the myth of overnight transformation. True change is slow, hard, and sustained. His own climb from chaos to Yale exemplifies less a lightning bolt and more a marathon. He’s urging readers: forget quick fixes—commit to consistent action.