Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

89 Notable Quotes By Larry McMurtry For The Ones Who Are Hungry For Success

Famous As: Novelist
Born On: June 3, 1936
Died On: March 25, 2021
Born In: Archer City, Texas, U.S.
Died At Age: 84

Larry Jeff McMurtry is an illustrious American essayist, screenwriter, novelist, and bookseller. He is distinguished primarily for setting his work either in contemporary Texas or in the Old West. His novels, ‘Terms of Endearment,’ ‘Horseman, Pass By,’ and ‘The Last Picture Show,’ were adapted into films which bagged in ten Academy Awards out of twenty-six nominations. He won ‘Pulitzer Prize’ for his novel ‘Lonesome Dove,’ in 1985. The same novel was adapted into a television miniseries and won seven ‘Emmy Awards,’ out of eighteen nominations. He adapted the screenplay for ‘Brokeback Mountain’ along with cowriter Diana Ossana for which they bagged in three ‘Academy Awards’ out of eight nominations. Read through the compilation of famous quotes by Larry McMurtry which have been excerpted from his writings, essays, books, interviews, tweets and public utterances.

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If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk—and feisty gentlemen.

If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk—and feisty gentlemen.

Larry McMurtry
It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live.” ~spoken by Augustus McCrae

It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live.” ~spoken by Augustus McCrae

Larry McMurtry
If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.

If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.

Larry McMurtry
The older the violin, the sweeter the music.

The older the violin, the sweeter the music.

Larry McMurtry
Yesterday's gone on down the river and you can't get it back.

Yesterday's gone on down the river and you can't get it back.

Larry McMurtry
I'm sure partial to the evening,' Augustus said. 'The evening and the morning. If we just didn't have to have the rest of the dern day I'd be a lot happier.

I'm sure partial to the evening,' Augustus said. 'The evening and the morning. If we just didn't have to have the rest of the dern day I'd be a lot happier.

Larry McMurtry
It's a fine world, though rich in hardships at times.

It's a fine world, though rich in hardships at times.

Larry McMurtry
If I had a mind to rent pigs, I'd be mighty upset. A man that likes to rent pigs won't be stopped.

If I had a mind to rent pigs, I'd be mighty upset. A man that likes to rent pigs won't be stopped.

Larry McMurtry
It's like I told you last night son. The earth is mostly just a boneyard. But pretty in the sunlight, he added

It's like I told you last night son. The earth is mostly just a boneyard. But pretty in the sunlight, he added

Larry McMurtry
Only a rank degenerate would drive 1,500 miles across Texas without eating a chicken fried steak.

Only a rank degenerate would drive 1,500 miles across Texas without eating a chicken fried steak.

Larry McMurtry
I never met a soul in this world as normal as me.

I never met a soul in this world as normal as me.

Larry McMurtry
Live through it,

Live through it," Call said. "That's all we can do.

Larry McMurtry
I think its a sickness to grieve too much for those who never cared a fig for you.

I think its a sickness to grieve too much for those who never cared a fig for you.

Larry McMurtry
The earth is mostly just a boneyard. But pretty in the sunlight.

The earth is mostly just a boneyard. But pretty in the sunlight.

Larry McMurtry
Maybe you can make art out of unredeemed pain, but only if you're a genius -- Dostoyevsky perhaps.

Maybe you can make art out of unredeemed pain, but only if you're a genius -- Dostoyevsky perhaps.

Larry McMurtry
Anyway, whacking a surly bartender ain't much of a crime.

Anyway, whacking a surly bartender ain't much of a crime.

Larry McMurtry
Nobody run off with her,” Roscoe said.

Nobody run off with her,” Roscoe said. "She just run off with herself, I guess.

Larry McMurtry
But just let me tell you something, son, a woman's love is like the morning dew, it's just as apt to settle on a horse turd as it is on a rose. So you better just get over it.

But just let me tell you something, son, a woman's love is like the morning dew, it's just as apt to settle on a horse turd as it is on a rose. So you better just get over it.

Larry McMurtry
I hate rude behavior in a man,' he explained in his quiet, unassuming drawl. 'I won't tolerate it.' He politely tipped his hat, and rode away.

I hate rude behavior in a man,' he explained in his quiet, unassuming drawl. 'I won't tolerate it.' He politely tipped his hat, and rode away.

Larry McMurtry
From him to the stars, in all directions, there was only silence and emptiness.

From him to the stars, in all directions, there was only silence and emptiness.

Larry McMurtry
The reason men are so awful is because some woman has spoiled them.

The reason men are so awful is because some woman has spoiled them.

Larry McMurtry
There isn't a thought in my head I care to be alone with for more than five minutes.

There isn't a thought in my head I care to be alone with for more than five minutes.

Larry McMurtry
The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters

The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters

Larry McMurtry
A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus

A man who wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough. --Augustus "Gus" McCrae

Larry McMurtry
Occasionally the very youngness of the young moved him to charity--they had no sense of the swiftness of life, nor of its limits. The years would pass like weeks, and loves would pass too, or else grow sour.

Occasionally the very youngness of the young moved him to charity--they had no sense of the swiftness of life, nor of its limits. The years would pass like weeks, and loves would pass too, or else grow sour.

Larry McMurtry
Uva uvum vivendo varia fit

Uva uvum vivendo varia fit

Larry McMurtry
I don't see how being married could be any worse than listening to you talk for twenty years, but that still ain't much of a recommendation for it.

I don't see how being married could be any worse than listening to you talk for twenty years, but that still ain't much of a recommendation for it.

Larry McMurtry
By the time the shade had reached the river, Augustus would have mellowed with the evening and be ready for some intelligent conversation, which usually involved talking to himself.

By the time the shade had reached the river, Augustus would have mellowed with the evening and be ready for some intelligent conversation, which usually involved talking to himself.

Larry McMurtry
You know Deets is like me - he's not one to quit on a garment just because it's got a little age - spoken by Augustus McCrae

You know Deets is like me - he's not one to quit on a garment just because it's got a little age - spoken by Augustus McCrae

Larry McMurtry
You don't look strong enough to trouble nobody around here.... We grow our own troubles--it would be a novelty to have some we ain't already used to.

You don't look strong enough to trouble nobody around here.... We grow our own troubles--it would be a novelty to have some we ain't already used to.

Larry McMurtry
They don't know it, but the wrath of the Lord is about to descend upon them.

They don't know it, but the wrath of the Lord is about to descend upon them.

Larry McMurtry
Who asked them dern pigs?” he said. “I guess they tracked us,” Augustus said. “They’re enterprising pigs.

Who asked them dern pigs?” he said. “I guess they tracked us,” Augustus said. “They’re enterprising pigs.

Larry McMurtry
Part of the trick of being happy is a refusal to allow oneself to become too nostalgic for the heady triumphs of one's youth.

Part of the trick of being happy is a refusal to allow oneself to become too nostalgic for the heady triumphs of one's youth.

Larry McMurtry
I suppose you set up reading the Good Book all night-spoken by Woodrow Call

I suppose you set up reading the Good Book all night-spoken by Woodrow Call

Larry McMurtry
You don't get the pint, Woodrow, I've walked the earth in my pride all these years. If that's lost, then let the rest be lost with it. There's certain things my vanity won't abide.

You don't get the pint, Woodrow, I've walked the earth in my pride all these years. If that's lost, then let the rest be lost with it. There's certain things my vanity won't abide.

Larry McMurtry
He knew what he could certainly do, and what he might do if he was lucky, and what he couldn’t do barring a miracle.

He knew what he could certainly do, and what he might do if he was lucky, and what he couldn’t do barring a miracle.

Larry McMurtry
It was inconsiderate, she thought, how blandly people mentioned the future in the sick rooms. Phrases like next summer were always popping out; people made such assumptions about their own continuity.

It was inconsiderate, she thought, how blandly people mentioned the future in the sick rooms. Phrases like next summer were always popping out; people made such assumptions about their own continuity.

Larry McMurtry
My main skills are talking and cooking biscuits,' Augustus said. 'And getting drunk on the porch.

My main skills are talking and cooking biscuits,' Augustus said. 'And getting drunk on the porch.

Larry McMurtry
Monkey John looked at the dead boy.

Monkey John looked at the dead boy. "By God, life is cheap up here on the goddamned Canadian River." "Cheap," Blue Duck answered. "And it might get cheaper.

Larry McMurtry
Buffalo Hump knew his son was brave, but that was not enough. If a warrior lacked wisdom, courage alone would not keep him alive for long.

Buffalo Hump knew his son was brave, but that was not enough. If a warrior lacked wisdom, courage alone would not keep him alive for long.

Larry McMurtry
-she remembered them kindly, for there was a sweetness in boys that didn't last long, once they became men.

-she remembered them kindly, for there was a sweetness in boys that didn't last long, once they became men.

Larry McMurtry
Incompetents invariably made trouble for people other than themselves.

Incompetents invariably made trouble for people other than themselves.

Larry McMurtry
This is a damn useless conversation. Goodbye. (Charles Goodnight to Woodrow Call)

This is a damn useless conversation. Goodbye. (Charles Goodnight to Woodrow Call)

Larry McMurtry
At times he felt that he had almost rather not be in love with her, for it brought him no peace. What was the use of it, if it was only going to be painful?

At times he felt that he had almost rather not be in love with her, for it brought him no peace. What was the use of it, if it was only going to be painful?

Larry McMurtry
Razzy was insulting me silently somehow.

Razzy was insulting me silently somehow.

Larry McMurtry
I sometimes think the sexual organs were put there to keep the human race humble,

I sometimes think the sexual organs were put there to keep the human race humble," she said. "They've certainly kept me humble.

Larry McMurtry
Little by little, the look of the land changes by the men we admire.

Little by little, the look of the land changes by the men we admire.

Larry McMurtry
Listening to women ain't the fashion in this part of the country.

Listening to women ain't the fashion in this part of the country."--Augustus McCrae

Larry McMurtry
And it’s the only whorehouse in town. They say if you can sprout up twelve inches of dick you get to fuck free.

And it’s the only whorehouse in town. They say if you can sprout up twelve inches of dick you get to fuck free.

Larry McMurtry
I just got gang-egged, or egg-banged or something.

I just got gang-egged, or egg-banged or something." --Sheriff Toots Burns.

Larry McMurtry
No half measures,” he muttered several times. It was his personal motto; he intended to have it latinised and put on a crest.

No half measures,” he muttered several times. It was his personal motto; he intended to have it latinised and put on a crest.

Larry McMurtry
There would be a trial, of course. But I had watched a few trials in Thalia, and I had seen people a lot dumber than Hud get away with a lot worse than what he did.

There would be a trial, of course. But I had watched a few trials in Thalia, and I had seen people a lot dumber than Hud get away with a lot worse than what he did.

Larry McMurtry
Dern, I hate cooking with shit. -- Augustus McCrae to Lorena Wood

Dern, I hate cooking with shit. -- Augustus McCrae to Lorena Wood

Larry McMurtry
You ought to take more chances,

You ought to take more chances," I said. "I took too many earlier," she said. "I'm sorry.

Larry McMurtry
Death and worse happened on the plains.

Death and worse happened on the plains.

Larry McMurtry
. . . he had learned in his years of tracking Indians that things which seemed impossible often weren't. They only became so if one thought about them too much so that fear took over.

. . . he had learned in his years of tracking Indians that things which seemed impossible often weren't. They only became so if one thought about them too much so that fear took over.

Larry McMurtry
The crimes the law can understand are not the worst crimes.

The crimes the law can understand are not the worst crimes.

Larry McMurtry
I'd hate to read all these books...that much reading could put your eyes out.

I'd hate to read all these books...that much reading could put your eyes out.

Larry McMurtry
It’s a fine world, though rich in hardships at times,” Augustus said.

It’s a fine world, though rich in hardships at times,” Augustus said.

Larry McMurtry
In fact, July felt he had reached a point in his life where virtually nothing was known.

In fact, July felt he had reached a point in his life where virtually nothing was known.

Larry McMurtry
Talk's the way to kill it. Anything gets boring if you talk about it enough, even death.

Talk's the way to kill it. Anything gets boring if you talk about it enough, even death.

Larry McMurtry
There seem to be no way he could stop anything that was happening, although it all felt wrong.

There seem to be no way he could stop anything that was happening, although it all felt wrong.

Larry McMurtry
Do you know what it means to be heartbroken?...It means your heart isn't whole, so you can't really do anything wholeheartedly.

Do you know what it means to be heartbroken?...It means your heart isn't whole, so you can't really do anything wholeheartedly.

Larry McMurtry
Certainly on the vast windy plain, there was plenty of nothing to be looked at.

Certainly on the vast windy plain, there was plenty of nothing to be looked at.

Larry McMurtry
I pride myself on being able to put up with a lot,” Nellie said. “But bagpipers are pretty much my limit.

I pride myself on being able to put up with a lot,” Nellie said. “But bagpipers are pretty much my limit.

Larry McMurtry
Well, boys,

Well, boys," Long Bill said. "I guess here's where I quit rangering. It's rare sport, but it ain't quite safe.

Larry McMurtry
I don’t claim to know much: cards, fucking, and dentistry about covers it,” Doc said.

I don’t claim to know much: cards, fucking, and dentistry about covers it,” Doc said.

Larry McMurtry
Jake, you’re a dern grasshopper,” Augustus said. “You ride in yesterday talking Montana, and today you’re talking California.

Jake, you’re a dern grasshopper,” Augustus said. “You ride in yesterday talking Montana, and today you’re talking California.

Larry McMurtry
A man that will go along with six killings is making his escape a little slow.

A man that will go along with six killings is making his escape a little slow.

Larry McMurtry
Figure the reason you don’t have much to say is you probably never met a man who liked to hear a woman talk.

Figure the reason you don’t have much to say is you probably never met a man who liked to hear a woman talk.

Larry McMurtry
Of all the women he knew, she had meant the most; and was the one person in his life he felt he had missed, in some ways.

Of all the women he knew, she had meant the most; and was the one person in his life he felt he had missed, in some ways.

Larry McMurtry
Once started, love couldn't easily be stopped.

Once started, love couldn't easily be stopped.

Larry McMurtry
He loved the way she smelled in the mornings; he liked to sniff at her shoulders or her throat.

He loved the way she smelled in the mornings; he liked to sniff at her shoulders or her throat.

Larry McMurtry
It's very peculiar, the situations life presents one with, Father Geoff reflected.

It's very peculiar, the situations life presents one with, Father Geoff reflected.

Larry McMurtry
She had a beautiful face, a beautiful body, but also a distance in her such as he had never met a woman.

She had a beautiful face, a beautiful body, but also a distance in her such as he had never met a woman.

Larry McMurtry
It seemed to him harder, as he got older, to find a simple way of life.

It seemed to him harder, as he got older, to find a simple way of life.

Larry McMurtry
Nothing good ever comes without a price.

Nothing good ever comes without a price.

Larry McMurtry
It doesn’t do to sacrifice for people unless they want you to,” Clara said. “It’s just a waste.

It doesn’t do to sacrifice for people unless they want you to,” Clara said. “It’s just a waste.

Larry McMurtry
He liked to get off by himself, a mile or so from camp, and listen to the country, not the men.

He liked to get off by himself, a mile or so from camp, and listen to the country, not the men.

Larry McMurtry
If you only come face-to-face with your own mistakes once or twice in your life it’s bound to be extra painful. I face mine every day—that way they ain’t usually much worse than a dry shave.

If you only come face-to-face with your own mistakes once or twice in your life it’s bound to be extra painful. I face mine every day—that way they ain’t usually much worse than a dry shave.

Larry McMurtry
The whole point of loyalty was not to change: stick with those who stuck with you.

The whole point of loyalty was not to change: stick with those who stuck with you.

Larry McMurtry
He might die, but at least he could fight first, and not simply pass his days shaking at the expectation of slaughter.

He might die, but at least he could fight first, and not simply pass his days shaking at the expectation of slaughter.

Larry McMurtry
Henpecked, the great Wyatt Earp,” Cody said.
“You evidently don’t know Jessie,” Wyatt said. “If she’s in one of her tempers she’d put a hyena to flight ...

Henpecked, the great Wyatt Earp,” Cody said. “You evidently don’t know Jessie,” Wyatt said. “If she’s in one of her tempers she’d put a hyena to flight ...

Larry McMurtry
Such is the life and death of a good cowboy.

Such is the life and death of a good cowboy.

Larry McMurtry
It’s his dern laziness,” Call said. “Jake just kind of drifts. Any wind can blow him.

It’s his dern laziness,” Call said. “Jake just kind of drifts. Any wind can blow him.

Larry McMurtry
You’re like a starving person whose stomach is shrunk up from not having any food. You’re shrunk up from not wanting nothing.

You’re like a starving person whose stomach is shrunk up from not having any food. You’re shrunk up from not wanting nothing.

Larry McMurtry
People got opinions, that's all they've got.

People got opinions, that's all they've got.

Larry McMurtry
His feet were swollen to twice their size, besides being cut here and there. Yet they were the only feet he had, and after dozing for an hour in the sun, he got up and hobbled on.

His feet were swollen to twice their size, besides being cut here and there. Yet they were the only feet he had, and after dozing for an hour in the sun, he got up and hobbled on.

Larry McMurtry
But then July accepted it and never scolded back, so perhaps that was the way of the world: women scolded, and men kept quiet and stayed out of the way as much as possible.

But then July accepted it and never scolded back, so perhaps that was the way of the world: women scolded, and men kept quiet and stayed out of the way as much as possible.

Larry McMurtry