John Irving Quotes

It seems to be part of the human condition to need someone you can look down on. I still don't get that one.

Doesn't make any difference who we are or what we are, there's always somebody to look down on.

I think there's always going to be some kind of bigotry or some kind of racism. There has to be, because people can't feel that they have any hero qualities unless there's someone beneath them.

Whoever gives advice to a sick person acquires a feeling of superiority over him, whether the advice be accepted or rejected.

Every man is a king so long as he has someone to look down on.

The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly raises his eyes above him with anxiety. The Englishman lowers his beneath him with satisfaction.

There are people who are just very, very sniffy and snobby and have always sort of looked down their noses at me.

One often has need of one, inferior to himself.

I don't delve too deep into reviews.

Rank does not intimidate hardware. Neither does the lack of rank.

I believe in criticism.

I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.

People of small caliber are always carping. They are bent on showing their own superiority, their knowledge or prowess or good breeding.

The mistake we make with many people is that we assume that we have the model. It is a type of condescension.

Men and nations cannot bear to feel inferior.

The tail must wag the dog, for the horse is drawn by the cart

Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your betters.

VD: Worst of the Three.

I only want to debate people who are more powerful than I am.

Critics matter to me a lot.

You have to accept the criticism but you also have to consider how much of what is said and written is actually true.

Critics matter to me.

Critics tend to praise as well as crucify you.

Tony Harrison is not on my level.

The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses them they censure.