60 quotes
When I read something saying I've not done anything as good as Catch-22 I'm tempted to reply, "Who has?"
The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Quotations (1997)
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.
Catch-22 (1961)
He could never decide whether to furgle them or photograph them, for he had found it impossible to do both simultaneously.
Catch-22 (1961)
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
Catch-22 (1961)
Outside the hospital the war was still going on. Men went mad and were rewarded with medals.
Catch-22 (1961)
Everyone in my book accuses everyone else of being crazy. Frankly, I think the whole society is nuts — and the question is: What does a sane man do in an insane society?
It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him.
Catch-22 (1961)
The yellow moon turned orange and was soon red as the setting sun.
Closing Time (1994)
Morale was deteriorating and it was all Yossarian's fault. The country was in peril; he was jeopardizing his traditional rights of freedom and independence by daring to exercise them.
Catch-22 (1961)
He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt, and his only mission each time he went up was to come down alive.
Catch-22 (1961)
There was no way of knowing anything, he knew, not even that there was no way of knowing anything.
Closing Time (1994)
"Open your eyes, Clevinger. It doesn't make a damned bit of difference who wins the war to someone who's dead."
Catch-22 (1961)
The only wisdom I think I've attained is the wisdom to be skeptical of other people's ideology and other people's arguments. I tend to be a skeptic, I don't like dogmatic approaches by anybody.
The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likeable. In three days no one could stand him.
Catch-22 (1961)
The problem with the loneliness I suffer is that the company of others has never been a cure for it.
God Knows (1984)
Now THERE'S a hollow state to be in, isn't it — to believe in God and get no sign that He's there.
God Knows (1984)
Whether God is dead or not hardly matters, for we would use him no differently anyway.
God Knows (1984)
Didn't I once observe that there is nothing new under the sun?
God Knows (1984)
If character is destiny, the good are damned.
God Knows (1984)
"The truth is whatever people will believe is the truth. Don't you know history?"
God Knows (1984)