--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've only been an asshole to assholes!" description: "\"I've only been an asshole to assholes!\" — Harlan Ellison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg" --- # I've only been an asshole to assholes! ![“I've only been an asshole to assholes!” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg) > “I've only been an asshole to assholes!” [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He claims he only targets those who deserve it, using sarcasm as a tool against the problematic. **In simple terms:** He jokes only at those who merit it. Key Takeaway Use humor responsibly to critique. Themes humor critique ethics Mood witty critical Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - editorial writing - online discourse Key Concepts satire social commentary personal boundaries Questions to Reflect On - When is satire effective? - Who decides who is an “asshole”? A Different Perspective Sarcasm can alienate if misapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole/) [Asshole Assholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole-assholes-661174/) [Assholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assholes/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Ve Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ve-asshole-661175/) ## Related quotes > [Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in public you looked like a total asshole? We're all assholes now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/remember-how-back-in-1990-if-you-used-a-cellphone-in-public-you/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“WHAT'S WRONG WITH ASSHOLES, BABY? YOU'VE GOT AN ASSHOLE, I'VE GOT AN ASSHOLE! YOU GO TO THE STORE AND BUY A PORTERHOUSE STEAK, THAT…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/what-s-wrong-with-assholes-baby-you-ve-got-an-asshole-i-ve-got-an/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [“I find it consistently difficult to get around the notion that we are all, in our very natures, assholes. I am an asshole. I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-find-it-consistently-difficult-to-get-around-the-notion-that-we-are/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“Our theory is simply this: a person counts as an asshole when, and only when, he systematically allows himself to enjoy special advantages in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-james/our-theory-is-simply-this-a-person-counts-as-an-asshole-when-and-only/) [Aaron James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-james/) > [The key is, how do you feel with the one asshole? They cannot be talked to. That's why they are assholes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/the-key-is-how-do-you-feel-with-the-one-asshole-they-cannot-be-talked/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [I don't mind assholes. It's the dork I don't trust. The dork is the one who's trying to be whatever he thinks you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/i-don-t-mind-assholes-it-s-the-dork-i-don-t-trust-the-dork-is-the-one/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [“We are all stupid assholes; leaving alone and complaining forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/we-are-all-stupid-assholes-leaving-alone-and-complaining-forever/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [“Are you a Buddhist?" "No, I'm an asshole. But I keep trying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hawkins/are-you-a-buddhist-no-i-m-an-asshole-but-i-keep-trying/) [Scott Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hawkins/) > [“The function of assholes in the world, just like the asshole we all have, is to spread shit around. They are loathsome and dirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/the-function-of-assholes-in-the-world-just-like-the-asshole-we-all/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [“It is my sincere desire that my research and hard work will help create a world where we all learn to walk this Earth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-maxim-russell/it-is-my-sincere-desire-that-my-research-and-hard-work-will-help/) [Alexei Maxim Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-maxim-russell/) > [“Let’s be assholes and enjoy the life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/let-s-be-assholes-and-enjoy-the-life/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Guys annoy me so much -.- it's like they study to be an asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/guys-annoy-me-so-much-it-s-like-they-study-to-be-an-asshole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Sphincter is a Technical word for asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sphincter-is-a-technical-word-for-asshole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Claiming to be offended is a great way to elevate yourself at the expense of others: “Look at me! I'm a much better person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/claiming-to-be-offended-is-a-great-way-to-elevate-yourself-at-the/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) ## More by Harlan Ellison > [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They change scapegoats at the networks more regularly than some people change socks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-change-scapegoats-at-the-networks-more-regularly-than-some/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They minute people fall in love they become liars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-minute-people-fall-in-love-they-become-liars/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Repent, Harlequin," said the Ticktock Man. "Get stuffed," the Harlequin replied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/repent-harlequin-said-the-ticktock-man-get-stuffed-the-harlequin/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Living under the land, under the sea, in the belly of AM, whom we created...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/living-under-the-land-under-the-sea-in-the-belly-of-am-whom-we-created/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I have no mouth. And I must scream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [There in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, Simon Haskell has cobbled up for himself a replica of an Art Deco salon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-in-the-midst-of-the-amazon-jungle-simon-haskell-has-cobbled-up/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [For the first time we have a weapon that nobody has used for thirty years. This gives me great hope for the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/for-the-first-time-we-have-a-weapon-that-nobody-has-used-for-thirty/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“There are forces in the world today, Mr. Winsocki, that are invisibly working to make us all carbon copies of one another. Forces that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-are-forces-in-the-world-today-mr-winsocki-that-are-invisibly/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/men-rarely-if-ever-manage-to-dream-up-a-god-superior-to-themselves/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-write-a-kind-of-surreal-fantasy-but-they-can-t-put-surreal-fantasy/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/don-t-start-an-argument-with-somebody-who-has-a-microphone-when-you/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“I intend to keep writing stories that piss people off, that tell the particular kind of truth I think is valid, that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-intend-to-keep-writing-stories-that-piss-people-off-that-tell-the/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Who Needs the Taj Mahal when it's a drag to live at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/who-needs-the-taj-mahal-when-it-s-a-drag-to-live-at-all/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) [Explore all 165 Harlan Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## More Asshole quotes > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Hated By many Trash Talked By Many Guess How Many Fucks I Give Its Less Than One Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karal/hated-by-many-trash-talked-by-many-guess-how-many-fucks-i-give-its/) [Karal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karal/) > [Sphincter is a Technical word for asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sphincter-is-a-technical-word-for-asshole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When someone describes themself as a taxpayer, they're about to be an asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/when-someone-describes-themself-as-a-taxpayer-they-re-about-to-be-an/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [“The asshole slipped Peggy a five-spot to bring him his burger first. Never trust a man with a penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/the-asshole-slipped-peggy-a-five-spot-to-bring-him-his-burger-first/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [Dream big, work hard and don't be an asshole!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-shinoda/dream-big-work-hard-and-don-t-be-an-asshole/) [Mike Shinoda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-shinoda/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [“When she had asked him how he was able to kill two men with his bare hands, he had gone into asshole mode, telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-taylor/when-she-had-asked-him-how-he-was-able-to-kill-two-men-with-his-bare/) [Brad Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-taylor/) > [“It was official. I was an asshole with a permanently broken heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/it-was-official-i-was-an-asshole-with-a-permanently-broken-heart/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [If you are an asshole, we can be best Friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-you-are-an-asshole-we-can-be-best-friends/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk? His whole abdomen would move up and down, you dig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/did-i-ever-tell-you-about-the-man-who-taught-his-asshole-to-talk-his/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) > [“She really liked you, Noah,' 'Yeah, well, maybe I'm just an asshole.' I realize my hand is still in his hair and I retract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-wicks/she-really-liked-you-noah-yeah-well-maybe-i-m-just-an-asshole-i/) [Becky Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-wicks/) > [I'm nice until you piss me off...then I'm an asshole until you make me laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerett-parker/i-m-nice-until-you-piss-me-off-then-i-m-an-asshole-until-you-make-me/) [Jerett Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerett-parker/) > [Just because I don't fuck you anymore doesn't make me a lesbian.It just makes you an asshole.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/just-because-i-don-t-fuck-you-anymore-doesn-t-make-me-a-lesbian-it/) [Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/) > [“Christ, what an asshole!" Babette said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-koch/christ-what-an-asshole-babette-said/) [Herman Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-koch/) [Browse all 489 Asshole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've only been an asshole to assholes!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harlan Ellison" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asshole" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/harlan-ellison-2133_asshole_i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes-84_842686.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've only been an asshole to assholes!” — Harlan Ellison", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harlan Ellison", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've only been an asshole to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```