All cultures have things to learn from all other cultures. Don’t get stuck in your culture! Go beyond it! Get out of your aquarium; get out of your farm; get out of your castle; break your bell jar! Give chance to other cultures and to other opinio...
A novelist's job is almost to be a stupid as possible, except in the cunning moment when you need to structure something, when you need to be very intelligent indeed. The rest of the time, you need almost an empty mind, where you can let any image in...
A toast" I yelled, climbing onto a chair. On my way to the top, I stole someone's beer and held it out in front of me. "To douche bags!" I said gesturing to Brad. "And to girls that break your heart." I bowed to Abby. My throat tightened. "And to the...
Silk is a fine, delicate, soft, illuminating, beautiful substance. But you can never rip it! If a man takes this tender silk and attempts to tear it, and cannot tear it, is he in his right mind to say "This silk is fake! I thought it was soft, I thou...
One cannot always know what children are thinking. Children are hard to understand, especially when careful training has accustomed them to obedience, and experience has made them cautious in their conversation with their teachers. Will you not draw ...
We know of no spectacle more ridiculous—or more contemptible—than that of the religious reactionaries who dare to re-write the history of our republic. Or who try to do so. Is it possible that, in their vanity and stupidity, they suppose that the...
Begin with the soft smelted upturned heart-shaped mouth made for smiling a smile kept for kindness, tenderness, incapable of malice. Am I going too fast for you? The almond eyes see out through their sleepy epicanthic fold. Trusting and calm, if a fl...
Introduction of rational standards to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable forms of drug related conduct allows us to hold drug users fully accountable for any harm resulting from irresponsible, stupid or ‘anti-social’ drug use in a ...
I'm no more modern than ancient, no more French than Chinese, and the idea of a native country, that is to say, the imperative to live on one bit of ground marked red or blue on the map and to hate the other bits in green or black, has always seemed ...
When writing goes painfully, when it’s hideously difficult, and one feels real despair (ah, the despair, silly as it is, is real!)–then naturally one ought to continue with the work; it would be cowardly to retreat. But when writing goes smoothly...
Should any political party attempt to abolish social security unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group of course that believes yo...
Lennie Pike: All right lady, are you gonna get out or am I gonna have to throw you out? Emmeline Finch: Oh please Mr. Pike, don't get upset. Mrs. Marcus: He's not gonna do anything! Drive on, ya big stupid idiot!
Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols. Audrey: We're...
Enid: [Enid is reading a note clipped to her diploma] What? Rebecca: What? Enid: These assholes are saying I have to go to summer school and take some stupid art class. Rebecca: Why? Enid: God, I didn't think that just because you get an "F" you have...
Coach Norman Dale: [after history class] What's on your mind? Everett Flatch: Well, coach... what you're doin' with my dad. I'm not seein' it. I mean, he's a drunk, he'll do somethin' stupid... Coach Norman Dale: When's the last time anyone gave your...
Soap: What do they say about assumption being the brother of all fuck-ups? Tom: It's the mother of all fuck-ups, stupid! Soap: Brother, mother, any other sucker. It don't make any difference. They're still fucking guns and they still fire fucking bul...
Thénardier: I adore that child. Jean Valjean: You adore her? Thénardier: Yes, it's true. I'm not rich. I've had to pay over 400 Francs for her medicine. But I'm a stupid man, I have no sense... just a heart. [glances at Valjean's wallet] Thénardie...
Lock: [singing] I say that we take a cannon, aim it at his door, and then, knock three times, and when he answers, Sandy Claws will be no more! Shock: [singing] You're so stupid! Think now! If we blow him up to smithereens, we may lose some pieces! L...
Rock Biter: We can't wait for a snail. Can I carry you? Teeny Weeny: Don't worry, it's a racing snail! Rock Biter: Oh but, but, we can't even wait for a racing snail. Teeny Weeny: Tally ho! Rock Biter: Hey, it really is a racing snail! Night Hob: Nob...
Will Turner: She goes free. Barbossa: What's in your head, boy? Will Turner: She goes free. Barbossa: You've only got one shot and we can't die. Jack Sparrow: Don't do anything stupid. Will Turner: You can't. [points gun at his own throat] Will Turne...
Kyoami: A serpent's egg is white and pure. A bird's is speckled and soiled. Hidetora: This is a castle... Here's a wall. Kyoami: The bird left the speckled egg for the white. Hidetora: Strange... Kyoami: The egg cracks; out comes a snake. Hidetora: E...
