Mason Cooley

New York loves itself in an unkind and fanatical way.

— Mason Cooley

The self-righteous rule out the possibility that they are what has gone wrong.

— Mason Cooley

All history and art are against us, but we still expect happiness in love.

— Mason Cooley

Without asceticism, self-indulgence would be insignificant.

— Mason Cooley

I am interested in a hundred things, but only slightly.

— Mason Cooley

When death comes too near, comedy and tragedy fall silent.

— Mason Cooley

Lawyers may reason powerfully, but power settles most issues.

— Mason Cooley

I love you in my dreams, but not in real life.

— Mason Cooley

One's fetishes are fascinating, but not because of their beauty or significance. The same could be said for one's genitals, or one's…

— Mason Cooley

Political correctness is driving machismo underground and recalling effeminacy from exile.

— Mason Cooley

The past goes right on pulling me apart, though I can scarcely remember the people or the issues.

— Mason Cooley

Astrology: do we make a hullabaloo among the stars, or do they make a hullabaloo down here?

— Mason Cooley

If I could do my life over, I would try to cleanse at least my pleasures of self-pity.

— Mason Cooley

Free competition exists inside shelters of law, custom, insurance, political approval, and carefully protected status.

— Mason Cooley

Proverbial wisdom counsels against risk and change. But sitting ducks fare worst of all.

— Mason Cooley

When love ends, we cry out against destiny. When friendship ends, we cry out against our friend.

— Mason Cooley

Lovers do all the talking and writing. What are the Beloveds thinking?

— Mason Cooley

Every lover's lament has an element of boasting.

— Mason Cooley

I tried good taste, but the strain was too much for me.

— Mason Cooley

Commitments, not feelings, hold life together.

— Mason Cooley

I read here and there in books, enjoying the examples and ignoring the argument.

— Mason Cooley

Liberal Doctrine: it is not children who misbehave, but parents.

— Mason Cooley

Every doctrine has a theory of the beginning.

— Mason Cooley

If the current is right, one can drift to success.

— Mason Cooley

Politicians love change, but of details only.

— Mason Cooley

A fastidious taste is best indoors, away from nature and the city.

— Mason Cooley

The Puritan sours his pleasures by disguising them as duties.

— Mason Cooley

The winner gives up his chance to be a good sport.

— Mason Cooley

I have forgiven you. Nevertheless, begone!

— Mason Cooley

I am most drawn to writing when I have something else urgent to do.

— Mason Cooley

A quiet well-behaved boy is likely to be both frightened and ambitious.

— Mason Cooley

Eccentricity gives misfits a way of fitting in.

— Mason Cooley

We often disguise our reflexes as deliberate actions.

— Mason Cooley

Writers tell more truths, and more lies, than most.

— Mason Cooley

A moratorium on opportunities, please. I need to recover from the last one.

— Mason Cooley

The more powerless people are, the longer they are kept waiting.

— Mason Cooley

Fortuna smiles and frowns according to a timetable surprising even to herself.

— Mason Cooley

Bad faith likes discourse on friendship and loyalty.

— Mason Cooley

To understand someone, find out how he spends his money.

— Mason Cooley

One eventually has enough even of oneself.

— Mason Cooley