18 quotes
Who among us is not thinking about divorce, except for a few tiny-minded stick-in-the-muds who don’t count?
The Teachings of Don. B: Satires, Parodies, Fables, Illustrated Stories, and Plays of Donald Barthelme (1992)
Instant gratification is not as good as that gratification which comes dripping slow, over the sere seasons.
Flying to America: 45 More Stories (2007)
Oh, there is nothing better than intelligent conversation except thrashing about in bed with a naked girl and Egmont Light Italic.
Come Back, Dr. Caligari (1964)
Self-criticism sessions were held, but these produced more criticism than could usefully be absorbed or accomodated.
Great Days (1979)
The present goal of the individual in group enterprises is to avoid dominance; leadership is felt to be a character disorder.
Great Days (1979)
People always like to hear that they’re under stress, makes them feel better. You can imagine what they’d feel if they were told they weren’t under stress.
Forty Stories (1987)
I am never needlessly obscure—I am needfully obscure, when I am obscure.
No man's plenum, Mr. Quistgaard, is impervious to the awl of God's will.
Snow White (1967)
As Jules Renard said, no matter how much care an author takes to write as few books as possible, there will be people who haven’t heard of some of them.
Flying to America: 45 More Stories (2007)
"The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love."
Come Back, Dr. Caligari (1964)
“The Continental Congress resolved that your famous plainneff and modefty would be ill ferved were it known that a houfe for your horfe was paid for from the public purfe.”
The Teachings of Don. B: Satires, Parodies, Fables, Illustrated Stories, and Plays of Donald Barthelme (1992)
The center will not hold if it has been spot-welded by an operator whose deepest concern is not with the weld but with his lottery ticket.
Sixty Stories (1981)
As a magician works with the unique compressibility of doves, finding some, losing others in the same silk foulard, so the rebels fold scratchy, relaxed meanings into their smallest actions.
Great Days (1979)
—Is it permitted to differ with Kierkegaard?
—Not only permitted but necessary. If you love him.
Great Days (1979)
“How old are you Hogo.” “Thirty-five Jane. A not unpleasant age to be.” “You don’t mind then. That you are not young.” “It has its buggy aspects as what does not?” “You don’t mind then that you are sagging in the direction of death.” “No, Jane.”
Snow White (1967)
ANATHEMATIZATION OF THE WORLD IS NOT AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE TO THE WORLD.
Snow White (1967)
"Marie, Marie, Hold On Tight".
Come Back, Dr. Caligari (1964)
People who had, in the past, suffered from technophobia suffered even more. Others took other positions. Things were not so bad. Things could be worse. Worse things could be imagined. Worse things had been endured and triumphed over, in the past. This was not the worst. The worst was yet to come.
The Teachings of Don. B: Satires, Parodies, Fables, Illustrated Stories, and Plays of Donald Barthelme (1992)