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Traditionally, in this country more than anywhere else, we have judged that the simple man, the hard-working man of the earth or the assembly line is the backbone of our morality. That it is he who will save us in times of stress. Well, that’s as outdated a philosophy as believing blacks all love watermelon.

— Harlan Ellison Over the Edge (1970)

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More quotes by Harlan Ellison

It is my lot to wake with anger every morning, to lie down at night even angrier.

Shatterday (1980)

This is a test. Take notes. This will count as 3/4 of your final grade.

Deathbird Stories (1975)

Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?

Deathbird Stories (1975)

Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver.

There’s only one real evil in the world: mediocrity.

All Harlan Ellison quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Harlan Ellison (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.