I had no accomplishments except surviving. But that isn't enough in the community where I came from, because everybody was doing it. So I wasn't prepared for America, where everybody is glowing with good teeth and good clothes and food.

Quote by Frank McCourt

Topics: Frank McCourt Quotes

I've been writing in notebooks for 40 years or so.

I've been writing in notebooks for 40 years or so.

He came to the States in 1963, I think with a view to making up...

He came to the States in 1963, I think with a view to making up...

We never really had any kind of a Christmas. This is one part where my...

We never really had any kind of a Christmas. This is one part where my...

You feel a sense of urgency, especially at my advanced age, when you're staring into...

You feel a sense of urgency, especially at my advanced age, when you're staring into...

There's so much absurdity. Poverty is so absurd.

There's so much absurdity. Poverty is so absurd.

I think I settled on the title before I ever wrote the book.

I think I settled on the title before I ever wrote the book.

I'm not one of those James Joyce intellectuals who can stand back and look at...

I'm not one of those James Joyce intellectuals who can stand back and look at...

Actually, my mother and Alfie came for three weeks' Christmas vacation and stayed for 21...

Actually, my mother and Alfie came for three weeks' Christmas vacation and stayed for 21...

And, of course, they've always condemned dancing. You know, you might touch a member of...

And, of course, they've always condemned dancing. You know, you might touch a member of...

I had to get rid of any idea of hell or any idea of the...

I had to get rid of any idea of hell or any idea of the...

My childhood here... was very limited. So it was a long, long time before I...

My childhood here... was very limited. So it was a long, long time before I...

Education is an art.

Education is an art.

I just have to proceed as usual. No matter what happens, nothing helps with the...

I just have to proceed as usual. No matter what happens, nothing helps with the...

They all went into the bar business. Which was a mistake, because they began to...

They all went into the bar business. Which was a mistake, because they began to...

I can't go too much into my domestic life because there are ex-wives ready to...

I can't go too much into my domestic life because there are ex-wives ready to...

I admire certain priests and nuns who go off on their own and do God's...

I admire certain priests and nuns who go off on their own and do God's...

I'm more interested in writing than in performing.

I'm more interested in writing than in performing.

First of all there is always that artistic challenge of creating something. Or the particular...

First of all there is always that artistic challenge of creating something. Or the particular...

The main thing I am interested in is my experience as a teacher.

The main thing I am interested in is my experience as a teacher.

The sky is the limit. You never have the same experience twice.

The sky is the limit. You never have the same experience twice.