In America all too few blows are struck into flesh. We kill the spirit here, we are experts at that. We use psychic bullets and kill each other cell by cell.

Quote by Norman Mailer

Topics: Norman Mailer Quotes

I had a quick grasp of the secret to sanity, it had become the ability...

I had a quick grasp of the secret to sanity, it had become the ability...

With the pride of the artist, you must blow against the walls of every power...

With the pride of the artist, you must blow against the walls of every power...

In America few people will trust you unless you are irreverent.

In America few people will trust you unless you are irreverent.

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

Masculinity is not something given to you, but something you gain. And you gain it...

Masculinity is not something given to you, but something you gain. And you gain it...

Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming...

Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming...

When I read it, I don't wince, which is all I ever ask for a...

When I read it, I don't wince, which is all I ever ask for a...

Because there is very little honor left in American life, there is a certain built-in...

Because there is very little honor left in American life, there is a certain built-in...

It's not the sentiments of men which make history but their actions.

It's not the sentiments of men which make history but their actions.

I don't think life is absurd. I think we are all here for a huge...

I don't think life is absurd. I think we are all here for a huge...

Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens...

Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens...

There's a subterranean impetus towards pornography so powerful that half the business world is juiced...

There's a subterranean impetus towards pornography so powerful that half the business world is juiced...

Alimony is the curse of the writing class.

Alimony is the curse of the writing class.

Once a newspaper touches a story, the facts are lost forever, even to the protagonists.

Once a newspaper touches a story, the facts are lost forever, even to the protagonists.

What characterizes a member of a minority group is that he is forced to see...

What characterizes a member of a minority group is that he is forced to see...

You never really know a woman until you meet her in court.

You never really know a woman until you meet her in court.

If a person is not talented enough to be a novelist, not smart enough to...

If a person is not talented enough to be a novelist, not smart enough to...

I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at...

I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at...

Culture's worth huge, huge risks. Without culture we're all totalitarian beasts.

Culture's worth huge, huge risks. Without culture we're all totalitarian beasts.

There is nothing safe about sex. There never will be.

There is nothing safe about sex. There never will be.