A personal injustice is stronger motivation than any instinct for philanthropy. — John Irving Injustice Copy Share Image
“Once the state starts providing, it feels free to hand out the rules, too!" Larch blurted hastily. ..."In a better world..." she… — John Irving Abortion Copy Share Image
“The Reagan administration is full of such “careless people”; their kind of carelessness is immoral. And President Reagan calls himself a Christian!… — John Irving American people Copy Share Image
There are always suicides among people who are unable to say what they mean. — John Irving Mean Copy Share Image
When writing a novel, I'm not smart enough to know how to foreshadow something if I don't know what it is. — John Irving Books Copy Share Image
It's not very interesting to establish sympathy for people who, on the surface, are instantly sympathetic. I guess I'm always attracted to… — John Irving About Copy Share Image
“...it was a feeling with nowhere to go. Was that what love was, and how it came to you--leaving you no options… — John Irving Love Copy Share Image
“And what were the rules at St. Cloud's? What were Larch's rules? Which rules did Dr. Larch observe, which ones did he… — John Irving Civilization Copy Share Image
“You can't possibly know that you're going to be a writer!" Miss Frost said. "It's not a career choice.” — John Irving Writer Copy Share Image
“But comedy is ingrained. A writer doesn't choose to be comic. You can choose a plot, or not to have one. You… — John Irving Humor Copy Share Image
Along the (writing) way accidents happen, detours get taken... But these are not "divine" accidents; I don't believe in those. I believe… — John Irving Accidents Copy Share Image
“SMALLER, BUT I CAN STILL SEE YOU!” said Owen Meany. Then he left us; he was gone. I could tell by his… — John Irving Chain of command Copy Share Image
“Men who believe in good and evil, and who believe that good should win, should watch for those moments when it is… — John Irving God Copy Share Image
“IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU LEARNED IT- IT'S A GIFT. IF YOU CARE ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT. IF YOU'RE… — John Irving Courage Copy Share Image
My old coach used to say that if you were in it for the match, if you were in it for the… — John Irving Coaches Copy Share Image
I believe in rules of behavior, and I'm quite interested in stories about the consequences of breaking those rules. — John Irving About Copy Share Image
. . .There are moments when time does stop. We must be alert enough to notice such moments . . . — John Irving Doe Copy Share Image
No touching Baby Jesus.” “But we’re his parents!” proclaimed Mary Beth, who was being generous to include poor Joseph under this appellation.… — John Irving Baby Copy Share Image
“IF SOME PREACHER’S AN ASSHOLE, THAT’S NOT PROOF THAT GOD DOESN’T EXIST! (page 286)” — John Irving Copy Share Image
I believe you have constructive accidents en route through a novel only because you have mapped a clear way. If you have… — John Irving Accidents Copy Share Image
“When someone you love dies, and you're not expecting it, you don''t lose her all at once; you lose her in pieces… — John Irving Long time Copy Share Image
Nearly everything seems a letdown after a writer has finished writing something. — John Irving Letdowns Copy Share Image
I try to see the whole woman,' Eddie said to Hannah. 'Of course I recognize that she's old, but there are photographs… — John Irving Ageless Copy Share Image
