“You put things off and then one morning you wake up and say—today I will change the oil in my truck.” — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
“It was still dark outside and bitter cold although mercifully there was little wind. Why is it calm in the early morning? You will notice that lakes are usually still and smooth before daybreak.” — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
“Who is the best marshal they have?' The sheriff thought on it for a minute. He said, 'I would have to weigh that proposition. There is near about two hundred of them. I reckon William Waters is the best tracker. He is a half-breed Comanche and it is something to see, watching him cut for sign. The meanest one is… — Charles Portis Copy Share
“Rooster said, "Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!" and he took the reins in his teeth and pulled the other saddle revolver… — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
I didn't care for beat reporting, covering the same thing day after day - short attention span. — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
“In South Texas I saw three interesting things. The first was a tiny girl, maybe ten years old, driving in a 1965 Cadillac. She wasn't going very fast, because I passed her, but still she was cruising right along, with her head tilted back and her mouth open and her little hands gripping the wheel. Then I saw an old… — Charles Portis Copy Share
“With that, Quincy brought the bowie knife down on Moon's cuffed hand and chopped off four fingers which flew up before my eyes like… — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
My Master of Arts degree means nothing at all to these monkeys and I have come to share their indifference. — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
I had hated these ponies for the part they played in my father's death but now I realized the notion was fanciful, that it was wrong to charge blame to these pretty beasts who knew neither good nor evil but only innocence. I say that of these ponies. I have known some horses and a good many more pigs who… — Charles Portis Copy Share
“I will go further and say all cats are wicked, though often useful” — Charles Portis Copy Share Image
“If I had received good instruction as a child I would be with my family today and at peace with my neighbors. I hope… — Charles Portis Copy Share Image