1
Anyway–because we are readers, we don't have to wait for some communications executive to decide what we should think about next–and how we should think about it. We can fill our heads with anything from aardvarks to zucchinis–at any time of night or day.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
2
As for literary criticism in general: I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
3
I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
4
I think it can be tremendously refreshing if a creator of literature has something on his mind other than the history of literature so far. Literature should not disappear up its own asshole, so to speak.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
5
Be aware of this truth that the people on this earth could be joyous, if only they would live rationally and if they would contribute mutually to each others' welfare. This world is not a vale of sorrows if you will recognize discriminatingly what is truly excellent in it; and if you will avail yourself of it for mutual happiness and well-being. Therefore, let us explain as often as possible, and particularly at the departure of life, that we base our faith on firm foundations, on Truth for putting into action our ideas which do not depend on fables and ideas which Science has long ago proven to be false.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
6
By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This is to me is a miracle.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
7
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
8
In an extended family, anybody can bug out of his own house for months, and still be among relatives. Nobody has to go on a hopeless quest for friendly strangers, which is what most Americans have to do.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
9
A society, on occasion, can be the worst possible describer of mental health.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
10
Any time I see a person fleeing from reason and into religion, I think to myself, There goes a person who simply cannot stand being so goddamn lonely anymore.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
11
I propose that every person out of work be required to submit a book report before he or she gets his or her welfare check.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
12
Vanity rather than wisdom determines how the world is run.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
13
Trust a crowd to look at the wrong end of a miracle every time.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
14
That's what is was to be young – to be enthusiastic rather than envious about the good work other people could do.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
15
Laughs are exactly as honorable as tears. Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion, to the futility of thinking and striving anymore. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
16
Bertrand Russell declared that, in case he met God, he would say to Him, "Sir, you did not give us enough information." I would add to that, "All the same, Sir, I'm not persuaded that we did the best we could with the information we had. Toward the end there, anyway, we had tons of information.Kurt Vonnegut Jr.