Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing.

Quote by Norman Mailer

Topics: Books Quotes

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

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

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.

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...

I'm hostile to men, I'm hostile to women, I'm hostile to cats, to poor cockroaches,...

I'm hostile to men, I'm hostile to women, I'm hostile to cats, to poor cockroaches,...

The difference between writing a book and being on television is the difference between conceiving...

The difference between writing a book and being on television is the difference between conceiving...

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...

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...

Revolutions are the periods of history when individuals count most.

Revolutions are the periods of history when individuals count most.

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

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

Hip is the sophistication of the wise primitive in a giant jungle.

Hip is the sophistication of the wise primitive in a giant jungle.

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...

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...

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 a good idea to put your wife into a novel; not your latest...

It's not a good idea to put your wife into a novel; not your latest...

The horror of the Twentieth Century was the size of each new event, and the...

The horror of the Twentieth Century was the size of each new event, and the...

The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to exacerbate, the moral...

The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to exacerbate, the moral...

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...

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...

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

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

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

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