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Gore Vidal: In quotes

BBC NEWS
1 August 2012



Celebrated author, satirist and political commentator Gore Vidal has died, aged 86.

He was famed for his biting political critiques and his acerbic take on American society. Here are some of his best quotes.

Gore Vidal ...

On US politicians: "The United States was founded by the brightest people in the country - and we haven't seen them since."

On the US electorate: "Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half."

On Ronald Reagan: "He is not clear about the difference between Medici and Gucci. He knows Nancy wears one of them."

On John F Kennedy: "He was one of the most charming men I've ever known. He was also one of the very worst Presidents." (The Progressive)

On political speeches: "In America, if you want a successful career in politics, there is one subject you must never mention, and that is politics. If you talk about standing tall, and it's morning in America, and you press the good-news buttons, you're fine. If you talk about budgets, tax reform, bigotry, and so on, you are in trouble. So if we aren't going to talk issues, what can we talk about? Well, the sex lives of the candidates, because that is about the most meaningless thing that you can talk about."

On the press: "A writer must always tell the truth, unless he is a journalist."

On secrets: "When anyone says to me, 'Can you keep a secret?' I say, 'Why should I, if you can't?'"

On punishment: "I'm all for bringing back the birch, but only between consenting adults."

On style: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn."

On looks: "A narcissist is someone better looking than you are."

On jealousy: "Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies."

On sexuality: "There is no such thing as a homosexual or a heterosexual person. There are only homo or heterosexual acts. Most people are a mixture of impulses if not practices."

On procreation: "Never have children, only grandchildren."

On the death of the novel: "You hear all this whining going on, 'Where are our great writers?' The thing I might feel doleful about is: 'Where are the readers?'" (Esquire)

On his arch-rival, writer Norman Mailer: "You know, he used the word 'existential' all the time, to the end of his life, and never even learned what it meant. I heard Iris Murdoch once at dinner explain to Norman what existential meant, philosophically. He was stunned." (The Independent)

On Truman Capote: "A Republican housewife from Kansas with all the prejudices."

On ageing: "At a certain age, you have to live near good medical care — if, that is, you're going to continue. You always have the option of not continuing, which, I fear, is sometimes nobler." (Esquire)

On the human condition: "There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise."