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Portrait of Charles Portis

Charles Portis

(1933–2020) Novelist United States

63 quotes in 270 categories

Charles Portis was a novelist from the United States, best known for True Grit.

Quick Facts About Charles Portis

Born: December 28, 1933
Died: February 17, 2020
Nationality: United States
Profession: Novelist
Notable works: True Grit

About Charles Portis

Charles McColl Portis was an American author best known for his novels Norwood (1966) and the classic Western True Grit (1968). Both Norwood and True Grit were adapted as films, released in 1970 and 1969, respectively. True Grit also inspired a film sequel and a made-for-TV movie sequel. The second film adaptation of True Grit was released in 2010.

Biography source: Wikipedia

Quotes by Charles Portis

“Who is the best marshal they have?' The sheriff thought on it for a minute. He said, 'I would have to weigh…

Rooster Cogburn

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I always go backwards when I am backing up.

Backing up

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“Rooster said, "Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!" and he took the reins in his teeth and pulled the other…

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Nothing I like to do pays well.

Pay

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I didn't care for beat reporting, covering the same thing day after day - short attention span.

After

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“In South Texas I saw three interesting things. The first was a tiny girl, maybe ten years old, driving in a 1965…

Little hands

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“With that, Quincy brought the bowie knife down on Moon's cuffed hand and chopped off four fingers which flew up before my…

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My Master of Arts degree means nothing at all to these monkeys and I have come to share their indifference.

Art

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I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.

Brain

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I had hated these ponies for the part they played in my father's death but now I realized the notion was fanciful,…

Answers

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“I will go further and say all cats are wicked, though often useful”

Cats

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“If I had received good instruction as a child I would be with my family today and at peace with my neighbors.…

Children

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“He drank even as he rode, which looked difficult. I cannot say it slowed him down any, but it did make him…

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You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except the Grace of God. You…

Deserve

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It was old President Diaz who said that nothing ever happens in Mexico until it happens. Things rock along from day to…

Caught

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“You can expect that out of Federal people and to make it worse this was a Republican gang that cared nothing for…

Good people

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“I am ready. I have repented my sins and soon I will be in heaven with Christ my savior. Now I must…

Christ

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“Who all is in there? Speak up and be quick about it!' 'A Methodist and a son a bitch!”

Humor

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“She said, 'Goodbye, Reuben, a love for decency does not abide in you.' There is your divorced woman talking about decency. I…

Love

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“He said he enjoyed doing security work for Mr. Jimmerson, keeping nuts and gangsters out of grenade range of the Master, but…

Cinema

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“Don't let your mouth write a check that your ass can't cash, son.”

Humor

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You do not think much of me, do you, Cogburn?" "I don't think about you at all when your mouth is closed.

Mouths

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“I bought some crackers and a piece of hoop cheese and an apple at a grocery store and sat on a nail…

Grocery store

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The wicked flee when none pursueth.

Wicked

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Time just gets away from us.

Get away

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