Mason Cooley

Whether I give to a beggar or not, his existence puts me in the wrong.

— Mason Cooley

Modernism: the books are as hard to understand as life itself.

— Mason Cooley

Rhyme and meter force gaps in meaning so the muse can enter.

— Mason Cooley

Eccentricity is originality that leads nowhere.

— Mason Cooley

I am no longer in love, but I still have my jealousy.

— Mason Cooley

Every few years something new breaks into the circle of my thoughts.

— Mason Cooley

With age, I have become both more pious and more shameless.

— Mason Cooley

The writer is always courted by invitations from the all-too- familiar.

— Mason Cooley

In philosophy, the principles are more interesting than the examples. In literature, the examples are more interesting than the principles.

— Mason Cooley

The nature of language may determine what most people say, but I always speak my own meaning.

— Mason Cooley

A dense undergrowth of extension cords sustains my upper world of lights, music, and machines of comfort.

— Mason Cooley

Unconditional love is a lofty ideal, but unconditional hate is a fact well documented by history.

— Mason Cooley

Reading about ethics is about as likely to improve one's behavior as reading about sports is to make one into an athlete.

— Mason Cooley

F. Scott Fitzgerald thought that prolonging his adolescence would protect his talent.

— Mason Cooley

At the dinner table, if you can't think of anything to say, sit quietly. Don't throw rolls, or chew on your napkin.

— Mason Cooley

People often are unsure whether or not they are in love, but they generally know whether or not they are having sex.

— Mason Cooley

It's no good being exclusive if nobody wants in.

— Mason Cooley

Originality finds the unexpected but inevitable next step.

— Mason Cooley

What's the good of being stoical if nobody notices?

— Mason Cooley

Imagination awakens ambition, then causes it to lose its way.

— Mason Cooley

The modernist writers found despair inspirational.

— Mason Cooley

Wit saves us from being swallowed whole by life.

— Mason Cooley

Kindness eases everything almost as much as money does.

— Mason Cooley

As a child I was told by my parents that I was happy, but I did not believe them.

— Mason Cooley

Self-conscious? Try a wig, a corset, a veil, a beard. Or cultivate shamelessness.

— Mason Cooley

Your flattery is as full of contempt as your insults were.

— Mason Cooley

Sulking is silent because speaking would reveal its folly.

— Mason Cooley

No need to be sentimental to mourn the loss of Paradise.

— Mason Cooley

People may show jealousy, but hide their envy.

— Mason Cooley

Vice is a dreary business. And virtue is not a lot of fun, either.

— Mason Cooley

Excuses change nothing, but make everyone feel better.

— Mason Cooley

Old men feel a slightly reluctant affection for one another.

— Mason Cooley

Prudence suspects that happiness is a bait set by risk.

— Mason Cooley

Outside books, we avoid colorful characters.

— Mason Cooley

Children now expect their parents to audition for approval.

— Mason Cooley

Masks are what they seem to be; not so the faces beneath them.

— Mason Cooley

Critic's delight: scolding the Mighty Dead.

— Mason Cooley

The modest youth somehow knows just what to do for the cameras.

— Mason Cooley

Jargon is part ceremonial robe, part false beard.

— Mason Cooley

Narcissus weeps to find that his Image does not return his love.

— Mason Cooley