Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming back and back and back to the same question and never get an answer.

Quote by Norman Mailer

Topics: Norman Mailer Quotes

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.

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...

There are four stages in a marriage. First there's the affair, then the marriage, then...

There are four stages in a marriage. First there's the affair, then the marriage, then...

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...

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...

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

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

We are close to dead. There are faces and bodies like gorged maggots on the...

We are close to dead. There are faces and bodies like gorged maggots on the...

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

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

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...

Sentimentality is the emotional promiscuity of those who have no sentiment.

Sentimentality is the emotional promiscuity of those who have no sentiment.

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

Every moment of one's existence one is growing into more or retreating into less. One...

Every moment of one's existence one is growing into more or retreating into less. One...

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...

The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.

The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.

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...

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...

Tough guys don't dance. You had better believe it.

Tough guys don't dance. You had better believe it.

The highest prize in a world of men is the most beautiful woman available on...

The highest prize in a world of men is the most beautiful woman available on...

In America all too few blows are struck into flesh. We kill the spirit here,...

In America all too few blows are struck into flesh. We kill the spirit here,...