Asking a critic to name his favorite book is like asking a butcher to name his favorite pig.

Quote by John McCarthy

Topics: John McCarthy Quotes

An extreme optimist is a man who believes that humanity will probably survive even if...

An extreme optimist is a man who believes that humanity will probably survive even if...

Amateur bureaucrats are often even worse than professional bureaucrats.

Amateur bureaucrats are often even worse than professional bureaucrats.

It is said that man doesn't live by bread alone. Sometimes this is unfortunate, because...

It is said that man doesn't live by bread alone. Sometimes this is unfortunate, because...

Hardly anyone has noticed that in the Northern Hemisphere people stir their drinks counterclockwise, whereas...

Hardly anyone has noticed that in the Northern Hemisphere people stir their drinks counterclockwise, whereas...

If I owned Marseilles and Hell, I'd rent out Marseilles and live in Hell.

If I owned Marseilles and Hell, I'd rent out Marseilles and live in Hell.

Committing genocide on behalf of an institution generates greater loyalty to it than merely getting...

Committing genocide on behalf of an institution generates greater loyalty to it than merely getting...

With no more than six levels of misquotation, any statement can be made to say...

With no more than six levels of misquotation, any statement can be made to say...

The difference between a contemporary liberal and a socialist is that to a liberal the...

The difference between a contemporary liberal and a socialist is that to a liberal the...

Language is froth on the surface of thought.

Language is froth on the surface of thought.

Self-righteousness has killed more people than smoking.

Self-righteousness has killed more people than smoking.

Suicidal terrorists may have short shelf lives.

Suicidal terrorists may have short shelf lives.

In human history, the desire for revenge and the desire for loot have often been...

In human history, the desire for revenge and the desire for loot have often been...

The peace movement is a great force for peace. Some of the world's most quarrelsome...

The peace movement is a great force for peace. Some of the world's most quarrelsome...

A declining institution often experiences survival of the unfittest.

A declining institution often experiences survival of the unfittest.

Soccer riots kill at most tens. Intellectuals' ideological riots sometimes kill millions.

Soccer riots kill at most tens. Intellectuals' ideological riots sometimes kill millions.

His ambition is to be the spider in the World Wide Web.

His ambition is to be the spider in the World Wide Web.

Both politicians and journalists face situations which strain their honesty and humanity. My opinion is...

Both politicians and journalists face situations which strain their honesty and humanity. My opinion is...

Comparing oneself with Galileo or Einstein is certainly good for the ego, provided one refrains...

Comparing oneself with Galileo or Einstein is certainly good for the ego, provided one refrains...

The worst thing you can do is start slow, or con yourself into thinking that...

The worst thing you can do is start slow, or con yourself into thinking that...

Dont cross the stream to find water.

Dont cross the stream to find water.