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96 Top Quotes By Gore Vidal, The Author Of Julian

Famous As: American Writer Known for His Novels: ‘The City and the Pillar’, ‘Julian’, ‘Myra Breckinridge’ and ‘Burr’
Born On: October 3, 1925
Died On: July 31, 2012
Born In: West Point, New York, United States
Founder / Co Founder: The Ludington Line, Transcontinental Air Transport , Northeast Airlines
Died At Age: 86

Eugene Louis Vidal, better known as Gore Vidal, was a novelist, essayist, playwright and screenwriter from the United States, who was also regarded as one of the leading public intellectuals in the world in the 20th century. He was born in a distinguished family, which was politically active and his grandfather on the mother’s side was in fact a senator. Vidal was a political thinker, writer and intellectual whose primary focus was on the history of America, with special focus on the politics and foreign policy. He was an essayist for some of the leading publications like Esquire Magazine, The Nation and New York Review of Books among others. Vidal’s writing skills quickly established him as one of the leading intellectuals and thinkers in the United States, while his books made him a household name in the country. Some of his most well-known books include ‘The City and the Pillar’, ‘Burr’, ‘Lincoln’, ‘Julian’ and ‘Myra Breckinridge’ among others. ‘Myra Breckinridge’ was also turned into a film which drew a lot of controversy due to its contents. Vidal was also a master debater who went toe to toe with some of the leading thinkers of the day in televised debates and captivated audiences with the force of his arguments and his eloquence. Here are some of the very best Gore Vidal one liners and quotes.

The unfed mind devours itself.

The unfed mind devours itself.

Gore Vidal
How marvelous books are, crossing worlds and centuries, defeating ignorance and, finally, cruel time itself.

How marvelous books are, crossing worlds and centuries, defeating ignorance and, finally, cruel time itself.

Gore Vidal
Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.

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

Gore Vidal
Write something, even if it's just a suicide note.

Write something, even if it's just a suicide note.

Gore Vidal
Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.

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

Gore Vidal
The genius of our ruling class is that it has kept a majority of the people from ever questioning the inequity of a system where most people drudge along paying heavy taxes for which they get nothing in return.

The genius of our ruling class is that it has kept a majority of the people from ever questioning the inequity of a system where most people drudge along paying heavy taxes for which they get nothing in return.

Gore Vidal
Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.

Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.

Gore Vidal
Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.

Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.

Gore Vidal
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.

The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.

Gore Vidal
It is not enough merely to win; others must lose.

It is not enough merely to win; others must lose.

Gore Vidal
I’m not sentimental about anything. Life flows by, and you flow with it or you don’t. Move on and move out.

I’m not sentimental about anything. Life flows by, and you flow with it or you don’t. Move on and move out.

Gore Vidal
Monotheism is easily the greatest disaster to befall the human race.

Monotheism is easily the greatest disaster to befall the human race.

Gore Vidal
I sometimes think it is because they are so bad at expressing themselves verbally that writers take to pen and paper in the first place

I sometimes think it is because they are so bad at expressing themselves verbally that writers take to pen and paper in the first place

Gore Vidal
There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.

There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.

Gore Vidal
A narcissist is someone better looking than you are.

A narcissist is someone better looking than you are.

Gore Vidal
Always a godfather, never a god.

Always a godfather, never a god.

Gore Vidal
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing.

We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing.

Gore Vidal
The idea of a good society is something you do not need a religion and eternal punishment to buttress; you need a religion if you are terrified of death.

The idea of a good society is something you do not need a religion and eternal punishment to buttress; you need a religion if you are terrified of death.

Gore Vidal
Andy Warhol is the only genius I've ever known with an IQ of 60.

Andy Warhol is the only genius I've ever known with an IQ of 60.

Gore Vidal
To a born-again atheist like myself, it is clear that each of us has multiple selves, talents, perceptions. But to the Roman Catholic, unity is all.

To a born-again atheist like myself, it is clear that each of us has multiple selves, talents, perceptions. But to the Roman Catholic, unity is all.

Gore Vidal
Write what you know will always be excellent advice for those who ought not to write at all. Write what you think, what you imagine, what you suspect!

Write what you know will always be excellent advice for those who ought not to write at all. Write what you think, what you imagine, what you suspect!

Gore Vidal
Southerners make good novelists: they have so many stories because they have so much family.

Southerners make good novelists: they have so many stories because they have so much family.

Gore Vidal
As the age of television progresses the Reagans will be the rule, not the exception. To be perfect for television is all a President has to be these days.

As the age of television progresses the Reagans will be the rule, not the exception. To be perfect for television is all a President has to be these days.

Gore Vidal
A writer must always tell the truth (unless he's a journalist)

A writer must always tell the truth (unless he's a journalist)

Gore Vidal
As I looked back over my life, I realized that I enjoyed nothing--not art, not sex--more than going to the movies.

As I looked back over my life, I realized that I enjoyed nothing--not art, not sex--more than going to the movies.

Gore Vidal
There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party … and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat.

There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party … and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat.

Gore Vidal
Traitors who prevail are patriots; usurpers who succeed are divine emperors.

Traitors who prevail are patriots; usurpers who succeed are divine emperors.

Gore Vidal
Love is a fan club with only two fans.

Love is a fan club with only two fans.

Gore Vidal
I suspect that one of the reasons we create fiction is to make sex exciting.

I suspect that one of the reasons we create fiction is to make sex exciting.

Gore Vidal
It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.

It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.

Gore Vidal
Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head.

Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head.

Gore Vidal
Never have children, only grandchildren.

Never have children, only grandchildren.

Gore Vidal
History is idle gossip about a happening whose truth is lost the instant it has taken place.

History is idle gossip about a happening whose truth is lost the instant it has taken place.

Gore Vidal
Never pass up a chance to have sex or appear on television.

Never pass up a chance to have sex or appear on television.

Gore Vidal
Never offend an enemy in a small way.

Never offend an enemy in a small way.

Gore Vidal
Nothing human is finally calculable; even to ourselves we are strange.

Nothing human is finally calculable; even to ourselves we are strange.

Gore Vidal
There is something about the state putting the power to bully into the hands of subnormal, sadistic apes that makes my blood boil.

There is something about the state putting the power to bully into the hands of subnormal, sadistic apes that makes my blood boil.

Gore Vidal
By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's been bought ten times over.

By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's been bought ten times over.

Gore Vidal
Of course his dust would be absorbed in other living things and to that degree at least he would exist again, though it was plain enough that the specific combination which was he would never exist again.

Of course his dust would be absorbed in other living things and to that degree at least he would exist again, though it was plain enough that the specific combination which was he would never exist again.

Gore Vidal
The first TV babies are now writing with a TV mind that has no attention span at all.

The first TV babies are now writing with a TV mind that has no attention span at all.

Gore Vidal
Miss Rand now tells us that what we have thought was right is really wrong. The lesson should have read: One for one and none for all.

Miss Rand now tells us that what we have thought was right is really wrong. The lesson should have read: One for one and none for all.

Gore Vidal
In fact, life itself is a contradiction if only because birth is the direct cause, in every single case, of death

In fact, life itself is a contradiction if only because birth is the direct cause, in every single case, of death

Gore Vidal
Reality is something the human race doesn't handle very well.

Reality is something the human race doesn't handle very well.

Gore Vidal
How hungrily we read about ourselves!

How hungrily we read about ourselves!

Gore Vidal
I wanted to be a politician and a movie star. But I was born a writer. If you're born that, you can't change it. You're going to do it whether you want to or not.

I wanted to be a politician and a movie star. But I was born a writer. If you're born that, you can't change it. You're going to do it whether you want to or not.

Gore Vidal
We are given our place in time as we are given our eyes: weak, strong, clear, squinting, the thing is not ours to choose. Well, this has been a squinting, walleyed time to be born in.

We are given our place in time as we are given our eyes: weak, strong, clear, squinting, the thing is not ours to choose. Well, this has been a squinting, walleyed time to be born in.

Gore Vidal
Nothing that ever was changes. Yet nothing that is can ever be the same as what went before.

Nothing that ever was changes. Yet nothing that is can ever be the same as what went before.

Gore Vidal
The worst thing to happen to Lincoln - aside from the unfortunate incident at Ford's theatre - was to fall into the hands of Carl Sandburg.

The worst thing to happen to Lincoln - aside from the unfortunate incident at Ford's theatre - was to fall into the hands of Carl Sandburg.

Gore Vidal
Although Americans justify their self-interest in moral terms, their true interest is never itself moral.

Although Americans justify their self-interest in moral terms, their true interest is never itself moral.

Gore Vidal
Ideally, of course, a relationship is best, but then how many people are capable of deep feeling? Practically none.

Ideally, of course, a relationship is best, but then how many people are capable of deep feeling? Practically none.

Gore Vidal
Anyone who sings about love and harmony and life [john lennon] is dangerous to someone who sings about death and killing and subduing [Nixon]

Anyone who sings about love and harmony and life [john lennon] is dangerous to someone who sings about death and killing and subduing [Nixon]

Gore Vidal
If Henry Miller often sounded like a village idiot, it is because, like Whitman, he was the rest of the village as well.

If Henry Miller often sounded like a village idiot, it is because, like Whitman, he was the rest of the village as well.

Gore Vidal
What other culture could have produced someone like Hemingway and not seen the joke?

What other culture could have produced someone like Hemingway and not seen the joke?

Gore Vidal
Americans tend to play different roles, hoping that somehow they’ll stumble on the right one.

Americans tend to play different roles, hoping that somehow they’ll stumble on the right one.

Gore Vidal
Heroes must see to their own fame. No one else will.

Heroes must see to their own fame. No one else will.

Gore Vidal
Once people get hung up on theology, they've lost sanity forever. More people have been killed in the name of Jesus Christ than any other name in the history of the world.

Once people get hung up on theology, they've lost sanity forever. More people have been killed in the name of Jesus Christ than any other name in the history of the world.

Gore Vidal
Since nothing is free, to each his price.

Since nothing is free, to each his price.

Gore Vidal
In America, the race goes to the loud, the solemn, the hustler. If you think you're a great writer, you must say that you are.

In America, the race goes to the loud, the solemn, the hustler. If you think you're a great writer, you must say that you are.

Gore Vidal
The public is always relieved to find that once the chief officers of state are elected they do not sincerely want change.

The public is always relieved to find that once the chief officers of state are elected they do not sincerely want change.

Gore Vidal
Prepare yourself for some bad news: Ronald Reagan’s library just burned down. Both books were destroyed. But the real horror: He hadn’t finished coloring either one of them.

Prepare yourself for some bad news: Ronald Reagan’s library just burned down. Both books were destroyed. But the real horror: He hadn’t finished coloring either one of them.

Gore Vidal
Eventually all things are known. And few matter.

Eventually all things are known. And few matter.

Gore Vidal
No one can ever love us quite so much as we love ourselves.

No one can ever love us quite so much as we love ourselves.

Gore Vidal
Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head. Shakespeare has perhaps 20 players. … I have 10 or so, and that’s a lot. As you get older, you become more skillful at casting them.

Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head. Shakespeare has perhaps 20 players. … I have 10 or so, and that’s a lot. As you get older, you become more skillful at casting them.

Gore Vidal
For the average American freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.

For the average American freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.

Gore Vidal
Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.

Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.

Gore Vidal
The rhetoric of hate is often most effective when couched in the idiom of love.

The rhetoric of hate is often most effective when couched in the idiom of love.

Gore Vidal
Let the dust take me when the adventure's done and I shall make the dust glitter for all eternity with my marvelous fury.

Let the dust take me when the adventure's done and I shall make the dust glitter for all eternity with my marvelous fury.

Gore Vidal
Christianity is such a silly religion.

Christianity is such a silly religion.

Gore Vidal
I’ve always said, ‘I have nothing to say, only to add.’ And it’s with each addition that the writing gets done. The first draft of anything is really just a track.

I’ve always said, ‘I have nothing to say, only to add.’ And it’s with each addition that the writing gets done. The first draft of anything is really just a track.

Gore Vidal
We no longer live in a nation, but in a Homeland.

We no longer live in a nation, but in a Homeland.

Gore Vidal
Drugs. If they did not exist our governors would have invented them in order to prohibit them and so make much of the population vulnerable to arrest, imprisonment, seizure of property, and so on.

Drugs. If they did not exist our governors would have invented them in order to prohibit them and so make much of the population vulnerable to arrest, imprisonment, seizure of property, and so on.

Gore Vidal
For a man to successful, not only must he succeed but his friends must also fail.

For a man to successful, not only must he succeed but his friends must also fail.

Gore Vidal
It is curious how little interested we are in the sexual desires of those who do not attract us.

It is curious how little interested we are in the sexual desires of those who do not attract us.

Gore Vidal
Love is not my bag.

Love is not my bag.

Gore Vidal
Always beware of the fact, that the only thing hindering an all out revolution is your fear of losing the scraps they throw at you.--Twitter post, July 29, 2012

Always beware of the fact, that the only thing hindering an all out revolution is your fear of losing the scraps they throw at you.--Twitter post, July 29, 2012

Gore Vidal
Whether he knows it or not, the middle-income American is taxed as though he were living in a socialist society.

Whether he knows it or not, the middle-income American is taxed as though he were living in a socialist society.

Gore Vidal
To turn life into words is to make life yours to do with as you please, instead of the other way round

To turn life into words is to make life yours to do with as you please, instead of the other way round

Gore Vidal
That's why Priscus is wisest of all: silence cannot be judged. Silence masks all things or no thing. Only Priscus can tell us what his silence conceals, but since he won't, we suspect him great.

That's why Priscus is wisest of all: silence cannot be judged. Silence masks all things or no thing. Only Priscus can tell us what his silence conceals, but since he won't, we suspect him great.

Gore Vidal
A good deed never goes unpunished.

A good deed never goes unpunished.

Gore Vidal
To be categorized is, simply, to be enslaved

To be categorized is, simply, to be enslaved

Gore Vidal
What is in question is a kind of book reviewing which seems to be more and more popular: the loose putting down of opinions as though they were facts, and the treating of facts as though they were opinions.

What is in question is a kind of book reviewing which seems to be more and more popular: the loose putting down of opinions as though they were facts, and the treating of facts as though they were opinions.

Gore Vidal
Ronald Reagan is a triumph of the embalmer's art.

Ronald Reagan is a triumph of the embalmer's art.

Gore Vidal
It is of no consequence what others think of you. What matters is what you think of them. That is how you live your life.

It is of no consequence what others think of you. What matters is what you think of them. That is how you live your life.

Gore Vidal
Our form of democracy is bribery, on the highest scale.

Our form of democracy is bribery, on the highest scale.

Gore Vidal
Sexual revelation in literature, must be tactful and must serve plot

Sexual revelation in literature, must be tactful and must serve plot

Gore Vidal
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.

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.

Gore Vidal
I'm a born-again atheist.

I'm a born-again atheist.

Gore Vidal
Love it or loathe it, you can never leave it or lose it.

Love it or loathe it, you can never leave it or lose it.

Gore Vidal
Say very mildly, we have only one political party in the U.S., the Property Party, with two right wings, Republican and Democrat.

Say very mildly, we have only one political party in the U.S., the Property Party, with two right wings, Republican and Democrat.

Gore Vidal
...Leggett feels that to be excitingly right in general is better than to be dully accurate in particular. That is why he is such an effective journalist.

...Leggett feels that to be excitingly right in general is better than to be dully accurate in particular. That is why he is such an effective journalist.

Gore Vidal
That my plans have lately gone somewhat awry is the sort of risk one must take if life is to be superb.

That my plans have lately gone somewhat awry is the sort of risk one must take if life is to be superb.

Gore Vidal
...,I have never visited any city in the world where I was not told that I just missed the golden age. I seem never to be on time.

...,I have never visited any city in the world where I was not told that I just missed the golden age. I seem never to be on time." Cyrus Sitema

Gore Vidal
I think there should be a constitutional amendment making it impossible for anyone to be president who believes in an afterlife.

I think there should be a constitutional amendment making it impossible for anyone to be president who believes in an afterlife.

Gore Vidal
Beneath my cold exterior, once you break the ice, you find cold water.

Beneath my cold exterior, once you break the ice, you find cold water.

Gore Vidal
Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so.

Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so.

Gore Vidal
The four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so.

The four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so.

Gore Vidal