I like to think of my behavior in the sixties as a “learning experience.” Then again, I like to think of anything stupid I’ve done as a “learning experience.” It makes me feel less stupid.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
“Second Thoughts about the Sixties,” speech, Second Thoughts Conference, Washington (1987); Give War a Chance (1992)
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
America wasn’t founded so that we could all be better. America was founded so we could all be anything we damned well pleased.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
One of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty in finding someone to blame your troubles on. And when you do find someone, it’s remarkable how often their picture turns up on your driver’s license.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
(Attributed)
There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences.
P.J. O'Rourke (b. 1947) American humorist, editor
Address at the Cato Institute (1993)
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