11 Quotes & Sayings By Charles Portis

Charles Portis was born in Oklahoma to a farming family. He attended Oklahoma State University for two years, then transferred to the University of Tulsa, where he graduated with a degree in journalism. He began writing short stories and articles for local newspapers while living in Tulsa, and sold his first story ("My Mother's Piano") to a magazine when he was twenty-one. He later moved to New York City, where he wrote screenplays for Warner Brothers and Universal Studios Read more

In 1950, Portis published his first novel, True Grit, which became a bestseller and was made into a movie starring John Wayne. In 1952 Portis published the novel The Violent Men, which was made into a major motion picture starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. Other books include The Rascal King (1960), Barney's Version (1962), The Dog of the South (1965), A Confederacy of Dunces (1980), The Charterhouse of Parma (1985), and The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1986).

1
I will go further and say all cats are wicked, though often useful. Who has not seen Satan in their sly faces? Some preachers will say, well, that is superstitious "claptrap." My answer is this: Preacher, go to your Bible and read Luke 8: 26-33 Charles Portis
2
I confess [Election] is a hard doctrine, running contrary to our earthly ideas of fair play, but I can see no way around it. Read I Corinthians 6:13 and II Timothy 1:9, 10. Also I Peter 1:2, 19, 20 and Romans 11:7. There you have it. It was good for Paul and Silas and it is good enough for me. It is good enough for you too. Charles Portis
3
You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except the Grace of God. You cannot earn that or deserve it. Charles Portis
4
Idleness and solitude led to these dramatics: an ordinary turd indulging himself as the chief of sinners. Charles Portis
5
I am ready. I have repented my sins and soon I will be in heaven with Christ my savior. Now I must die like a man. Charles Portis
6
Tom Chaney would pay for this! I would not rest easy until that Louisiana cur was roasting and screaming in hell! Charles Portis
7
If I had received good instruction as a child I would be with my family today and at peace with my neighbors. I hope and pray that all you parents in the sound of my voice will train up your children in the way they should go. Charles Portis
8
I'm white and I don't dance, but that doesn't mean I have all the answers. Charles Portis
9
The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. Charles Portis
10
You are a pearl of great price to me, but there are times when you are an almighty trial to those who love you. Charles Portis