Mason Cooley

Mason Cooley (1927 – July 25, 2002) was an American literary academic and aphorist.

Quotes

• Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.
  • City Aphorisms (1984)

• Lonely people keep up a ceaseless flow of commentary on themselves.
  • City Aphorisms (1984)

• Ideology has shaped the very sofa on which I sit.
  • City Aphorisms, Third Selection (1986)

• Wisdom remembers. Happiness forgets.
  • City Aphorisms, Third Selection (1986)

• In an aphorism, aptness counts for more than truth.
  • City Aphorisms, Fourth Selection (1987)

• Scepticism is always a back road leading to some credo or other.
  • City Aphorisms, Fourth Selection (1987)

• I am easy-going right up to the borders of my self-interest.
  • City Aphorisms, Sixth Selection (1989)

• The laughter of the aphorism is sometimes triumphant, but seldom carefree.
  • City Aphorisms, Sixth Selection (1989)

• Timidity keeps me safe and sad in a narrow room.
  • City Aphorisms, Eighth Selection (1991)

• Writing an upbeat aphorism is a temptation, but decorum forbids.
  • City Aphorisms, Eighth Selection (1991)

• Reality is the name we give to our disappointments.
  • City Aphorisms, Ninth Selection (1992)

• When lying to someone, look him straight in the eye.
  • City Aphorisms, Ninth Selection (1992)

• To be successful be ahead of your time, but only a little.
  • City Aphorisms, Tenth Selection (1992)

• People may show jealousy, but hide their envy.
  • City Aphorisms, Eleventh Selection (1993)

• Don’t milk the cow too hard. She will kick you.
  • City Aphorisms, Eleventh Selection (1993)

• Wisdom cannot prevent a fall, but may cushion it.
  • City Aphorisms, Twelfth Selection (1993)

• Why do we never expect dull people to be rascals?
  • City Aphorisms, Thirteenth Selection (1994)

"Forgiveness is like Faith. you have to keep reviving it."