Mason Cooley

Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.

— Mason Cooley

To postpone unpleasantness is human; to forget it is divine.

— Mason Cooley

To succeed, find the right rut and stay with it.

— Mason Cooley

I dream of vague shapes that hint of my heart's desire.

— Mason Cooley

When a man bores a woman, she complains. When a woman bores a man, he ignores her.

— Mason Cooley

My mother wanted to shrink from my clinging, but did not.

— Mason Cooley

Pornography and cooking shows have created two new spectator sports.

— Mason Cooley

Falling in love is the right adventure for those who dislike sports and travel.

— Mason Cooley

Beauty and virtue: the most kissable ass in the world is no guarantee of good intentions.

— Mason Cooley

When my expectations are exactly fulfilled, I feel that something uncanny has happened.

— Mason Cooley

To avoid taking responsibility, I become unresponsive but hang on until the other person leaves me.

— Mason Cooley

Realism absorbs the ideal by adding a few small imperfections. Example: it paints a few specks of mud on the white gown…

— Mason Cooley

My father liked to moralize, and so do I. But he was in earnest, while I am embarrassed and pretend that I…

— Mason Cooley

In New York, pretending to be above the struggle means no seat on the bus and a table next to the kitchen.

— Mason Cooley

If you have no power, talk about your influence. If you have power, talk about the constraints that hem you in.

— Mason Cooley

Like a frog, the aphorist waits for something to fly by that he can catch with his tongue.

— Mason Cooley

Reading gives you some place to go when you have to stay where you are.

— Mason Cooley

We often mistake the original part of ourselves for a weakness.

— Mason Cooley

Work at first rescues us, then ravages us.

— Mason Cooley

Observe decorum, and it will open a path to morality.

— Mason Cooley

Pursuit of the approximate can conclude. Not so pursuit of the absolute.

— Mason Cooley

The passions are the same in every conflict, large or small.

— Mason Cooley

Death is frightening, and so is Eternal Life.

— Mason Cooley

Lies save trouble now, but may return in thunder and lightning.

— Mason Cooley

The exhibitionist loves to flirt with shame

— Mason Cooley

Fearful of sentimentality, I disown my tears and melting heart.

— Mason Cooley

Home again, I can groan, scratch, and talk to myself.

— Mason Cooley

Think carefully before asking for justice. Mercy might be safer.

— Mason Cooley

Reading a great book causes jolts and frights.

— Mason Cooley

Hatred observes with more care than love does.

— Mason Cooley

To Jane Austen, every fool is a treasure trove.

— Mason Cooley

The desire to be significant casts a pall.

— Mason Cooley

Vicarious living is only slightly less impossible than vicarious eating.

— Mason Cooley

The trouble with the young people today is that it is they who are young.

— Mason Cooley

Knowledge and power in the city; peace and decency in the country.

— Mason Cooley

I love you is the inscription on Pandora's box.

— Mason Cooley

When understanding would be too difficult, I become trusting.

— Mason Cooley

Wisdom is founded on memory; happiness on forgetfulness.

— Mason Cooley

The morose one refuses to smile even when he has just had his teeth cleaned.

— Mason Cooley

Aphorisms may equivocate, but they must not wobble.

— Mason Cooley