In philosophy, the principles are more interesting than the examples. In literature, the examples are more interesting than the principles. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
Plato's Symposium shows that flirtation and philosophy can further one another. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
The philosophy of hedonism means little to lovers of pleasure. They have no inclination to read philosophy, or to write it. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Against classical philosophy: thinking about eternity or the immensity of the universe does not lessen my unhappiness. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
In ethics, prudence is not an important virtue, but in the world it is almost everything. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
When appearance and reality coincide, philosophy and literary criticism find themselves with nothing to say. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
Nostalgia keeps dissolving the ironic narratives in which I have contained my past. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
Even the most abject have a sense of superiority based on powerful though undefined merits. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
Literary tradition is full of lies about poverty-the jolly beggar, the poor but happy milkmaid, the wholesome diet of porridge, etc. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
My intentions go one way, my desires another. Thus I feel both self-indulgent and deprived. — Mason Cooley Copy Share Image
