Andrew Vachss Quotes

It is a blessed thing that in every age some one has had the individuality enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions.

I know people who are twice as creative as I am, twice as smart, but they didn't do anything because they feared going into a room and opening their mouths. My parents told me to truly accomplish things in my life, there would be times I would have to stand alone. It may be scary, but that's what it requires.

Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's way.

God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.

I've stood my ground in life, alone, even against overwhelming forces with the might and money to crush me.

I enjoy a character who sticks to her guns, who's always challenging herself. That's something I can relate to.

I just try to be myself. But I will tell you this: I will not back down to anyone.

The record shows, I took the blows . And did it my way.

To stand alone against all adversity is the most sacred moment of existence.

Pay attention, my young friends: to go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the tide. ... We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals, my dear young people!

You have to stand for what you believe in and sometimes you have to stand alone.

We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name.

My dad always said, 'Champ, the measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up.'

The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there... and still on your feet.

I have the courage of my convictions.

I've always believed in survival.

No one ever taught me how to shave; no one ever sat down to watch a Braves game with me. I paid for Yale myself, I lived by myself, I taught myself how to play the guitar. I did this all on my own.

My grandmother raised five children during the Depression by herself. At 50, she threw her sewing machine into the back of a pickup truck and drove from North Dakota to California. She was a real survivor, so that's my stock. That's how I want my kids to be too.

If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.

I have always said about myself I am a survivor because I am.

I learned a lot in those first years in Miami, while struggling just for survival, by observing my father's fortitude.

He must be independent and brave, and sure of himself and of the importance of his work, because if he isn't he will never survive the scorching blasts of derision that will probably greet his first efforts.

Life only demands from you the strength that you possess. Only one feat is possible; not to run away.

I always thought I'm kind of a tough girl.

Perhaps what distinguishes my characters is their courage and spirit and a certain stubbornness which enables them to keep going even when facing a setback. I think this developed organically as I wrote, but also it came out of a desire to portray women as powerful and intelligent forces in the world.