--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I may have been a complete lunatic, but I…" description: "\"I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.\" — Maureen Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png" --- # I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete… ![“I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.” quote by Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png) > “I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.” [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges personal eccentricity while emphasizing the importance of civility, suggesting that unconventional behavior can coexist with social grace. **In simple terms:** Eccentricity tempered by manners. Key Takeaway Politeness can soften oddity. Themes individuality social norms self-acceptance civility authenticity Mood wry reflective playful Type humorous observational When to use this quote - social gatherings - online forums - creative workplaces - family events Key Concepts personal identity behavioral contrast Practical Applications - conflict resolution - personal branding Questions to Reflect On - How does decorum affect perception of unconventional people? - Can manners change the impact of radical ideas? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complete Lunatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complete-lunatic-418690/) [Lunatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lunatic/) [Lunatic Complete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lunatic-complete-418691/) [Lunatic Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lunatic-manners-418689/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) ## Related quotes > [The lunatic fringe wags the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-lunatic-fringe-wags-the-underdog/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [If people believe that the Geto Boys really do stuff like on 'Mind of a Lunatic,' they must also believe there's a real Freddie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bushwick-bill/if-people-believe-that-the-geto-boys-really-do-stuff-like-on-mind-of/) [Bushwick Bill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bushwick-bill/) > [You preferred to be a lunatic, a minority of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/you-preferred-to-be-a-lunatic-a-minority-of-one/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I'm a Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic. It's a humorous way for me to describe that I'm not stereotypical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/i-m-a-christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-it-s/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [People are mostly sane enough, of course, in the affairs of common life: the getting of food, shelter, and so on. But the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stove/people-are-mostly-sane-enough-of-course-in-the-affairs-of-common-life/) [David Stove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stove/) > [In a world gone mad, only a lunatic is truly insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/in-a-world-gone-mad-only-a-lunatic-is-truly-insane/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“He never reveals anything personal about himself, and he becomes enraged if I try to steer the conversation in that direction. So I don't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-kane/he-never-reveals-anything-personal-about-himself-and-he-becomes/) [Andrea Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-kane/) > [Doubt, not self-reflection, comes from a destructive energy, and when it rears its head, I talk to it like a lunatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwyneth-paltrow/doubt-not-self-reflection-comes-from-a-destructive-energy-and-when-it/) [Gwyneth Paltrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwyneth-paltrow/) > [I remember I played Birmingham and I'd been awake for about a week and I was walking about like a raving lunatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cinnamon/i-remember-i-played-birmingham-and-i-d-been-awake-for-about-a-week/) [Gerry Cinnamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cinnamon/) > [Tris," he says. "What did they do to you? You're acting like a lunatic." "That's not very nice of you to say," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/tris-he-says-what-did-they-do-to-you-you-re-acting-like-a-lunatic/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Pausing allows you to take a beat to take a breath in your life. As everybody else is rushing around like a lunatic out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/pausing-allows-you-to-take-a-beat-to-take-a-breath-in-your-life-as/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/every-reform-movement-has-a-lunatic-fringe/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Used with due abstinence, hope acts as a healthful tonic; intemperately indulged, as an enervating opiate. The visions of future triumph, which at first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/used-with-due-abstinence-hope-acts-as-a-healthful-tonic-intemperately/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [So, thanks,” Vivian said. “For what?” I looked up at her, confused. “For being stupid enough to love your crazy, murdering lunatic of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/so-thanks-vivian-said-for-what-i-looked-up-at-her-confused-for-being/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) ## More by Maureen Johnson > [“Knowledge is the heaviest weight of all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/knowledge-is-the-heaviest-weight-of-all/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [There is no normal. I've never met a normal person. The concept is flawed. It implies that there is only one way people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/there-is-no-normal-i-ve-never-met-a-normal-person-the-concept-is/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [This kind of thing always amazed Ginny--people who just walked away from institutions. People who left school when they didn't see the point. Aunt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/this-kind-of-thing-always-amazed-ginny-people-who-just-walked-away/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [Did you hear?" he asked. "They found another body around nine this morning. It's the Ripper, definitely." "Good morning," I replied. "Morning. Listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/did-you-hear-he-asked-they-found-another-body-around-nine-this/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [She was standing in the airport of Copenhagen, staring at a doorway, trying to figure out if it was (a) a bathroom and (b)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/she-was-standing-in-the-airport-of-copenhagen-staring-at-a-doorway/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [When I worked in theater, I was always writing things on Post-it Notes and sticking them on screens or desks. Twitter has given me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/when-i-worked-in-theater-i-was-always-writing-things-on-post-it-notes/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [She had always thought applying to college would be exciting. Living away from home, meeting so many new people, Learning new things, making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/she-had-always-thought-applying-to-college-would-be-exciting-living/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [“Vitamin D,” Stevie said. “You need it.” “You don’t know that,” he said. “I want to eat my meat in my room with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/vitamin-d-stevie-said-you-need-it-you-don-t-know-that-he-said-i-want/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [No one hid their interest when I walked into the room. I'm not sure if it was the news about Boo or my general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/no-one-hid-their-interest-when-i-walked-into-the-room-i-m-not-sure-if/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [You'd been petting a stuffed dog?' she said 'A dead one?' 'It was a really well stuffed dog' I clarified. 'I have seen some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/you-d-been-petting-a-stuffed-dog-she-said-a-dead-one-it-was-a-really/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [“When she emerged, Keith was watching the tiny round window of the under-the-counter washing machine. "Put your clothes in for a wash," he said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/when-she-emerged-keith-was-watching-the-tiny-round-window-of-the/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [“For you, there is underage, and then, there is underage. I believe a taste of wine is perfectly acceptable, but please stick to one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/for-you-there-is-underage-and-then-there-is-underage-i-believe-a/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [Rory: "People are being serious." Jazza: "There's a serial killer out there. Of course people are being serious." Rory: "Yeah, but what are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/rory-people-are-being-serious-jazza-there-s-a-serial-killer-out-there/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [Boo: "Go talk to her." Callum: "About what?" Boo: "Anything." Callum: "You want me to walk up to her and say, 'Are you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/boo-go-talk-to-her-callum-about-what-boo-anything-callum-you-want-me/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [Mouth guard. And I think we'll start you in goal." Goal sounded like a special job. I didn't want a special job, unless that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/mouth-guard-and-i-think-we-ll-start-you-in-goal-goal-sounded-like-a/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) [Explore all 262 Maureen Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) ## More Lunatic quotes > [The lunatic fringe wags the underdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-lunatic-fringe-wags-the-underdog/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Used with due abstinence, hope acts as a healthful tonic; intemperately indulged, as an enervating opiate. The visions of future triumph, which at first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/used-with-due-abstinence-hope-acts-as-a-healthful-tonic-intemperately/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/every-reform-movement-has-a-lunatic-fringe/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Pausing allows you to take a beat to take a breath in your life. As everybody else is rushing around like a lunatic out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/pausing-allows-you-to-take-a-beat-to-take-a-breath-in-your-life-as/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Tris," he says. "What did they do to you? You're acting like a lunatic." "That's not very nice of you to say," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/tris-he-says-what-did-they-do-to-you-you-re-acting-like-a-lunatic/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I remember I played Birmingham and I'd been awake for about a week and I was walking about like a raving lunatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cinnamon/i-remember-i-played-birmingham-and-i-d-been-awake-for-about-a-week/) [Gerry Cinnamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cinnamon/) > [Doubt, not self-reflection, comes from a destructive energy, and when it rears its head, I talk to it like a lunatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwyneth-paltrow/doubt-not-self-reflection-comes-from-a-destructive-energy-and-when-it/) [Gwyneth Paltrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwyneth-paltrow/) > [“He never reveals anything personal about himself, and he becomes enraged if I try to steer the conversation in that direction. So I don't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-kane/he-never-reveals-anything-personal-about-himself-and-he-becomes/) [Andrea Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-kane/) > [In a world gone mad, only a lunatic is truly insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/in-a-world-gone-mad-only-a-lunatic-is-truly-insane/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [People are mostly sane enough, of course, in the affairs of common life: the getting of food, shelter, and so on. But the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stove/people-are-mostly-sane-enough-of-course-in-the-affairs-of-common-life/) [David Stove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stove/) > [I'm a Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic. It's a humorous way for me to describe that I'm not stereotypical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/i-m-a-christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-it-s/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [You preferred to be a lunatic, a minority of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/you-preferred-to-be-a-lunatic-a-minority-of-one/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [If people believe that the Geto Boys really do stuff like on 'Mind of a Lunatic,' they must also believe there's a real Freddie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bushwick-bill/if-people-believe-that-the-geto-boys-really-do-stuff-like-on-mind-of/) [Bushwick Bill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bushwick-bill/) > [So, thanks,” Vivian said. “For what?” I looked up at her, confused. “For being stupid enough to love your crazy, murdering lunatic of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/so-thanks-vivian-said-for-what-i-looked-up-at-her-confused-for-being/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) [Browse all 381 Lunatic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lunatic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maureen Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i-was-a-complete-lunatic-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Lunatic" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i-was-a-complete-lunatic-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/maureen-johnson-1282_lunatic_i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i_28286.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.” — Maureen Johnson", "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": "Maureen Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I may have been a complete...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i-was-a-complete-lunatic-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i-was-a-complete-lunatic-with/#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 } } ] } ```