Mason Cooley

“Affection reproaches, but does not denounce.”

“When I prayed for success, I forgot to ask for sound sleep and good digestion.”

“Magic trick: to make people disappear, ask them to fulfill their promises.”

“If modesty disappeared, so would exhibitionism.”

“Reality is the name we give to our disappointments.”

“Old and young disbelieve one another's truths.”

“The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.”

“Bad faith likes discourse on friendship and loyalty.”

“Families in which nothing is ever discussed usually have a lot not to discuss.”

“The power of lying is much less than the power of what is not to be discussed.”

“Documents create a paper reality we call proof.”

“While we are reading, we are all Don Quixote.”

“Melancholy is as seductive as Ecstasy.”

“Eternity eludes us, even as a thought.”

“The ravaged face in the mirror hides the enchanting youth that is the real me.”

“The sage belongs to the same obsolete repertory as the virtuous maiden and the enlightened monarch.”

“Amazing that the human race has taken enough time out from thinking about food or sex to create the arts and sciences.”

“Listening to people keeps them entertained.”

“Death is frightening, and so is Eternal Life.”

“I have learned to keep to myself how exceptional I am.”