Thomas McGuane Quotes

Eagles don't flock, you have to find them one at a time.

I've always acted alone. Americans like that immensely. Americans like the cowboy who leads the wagon train by riding ahead alone on his horse, the cowboy who rides all alone into the town, the village, with his horse and nothing else. Maybe even without a pistol, since he doesn't shoot. He acts, that's all, by being in the right place at the right time. In short, a Western. … This amazing, romantic character suits me precisely because to be alone has always been part of my style or, if you like, my technique

I am not a team player. I will not share the stage with anyone.

I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack.

I have never believed in being part of any one group or camp.

I'm not a team player. I'm used to having total control over everything I do.

To be honest, I think affiliation is anathema - if you're a rock 'n' roller, you're a lone wolf.

I think I'm still a lone wolf, internally. And I always will be.

I'm more of the lone wolf.

Born alone, die alone, no crew to keep my crown or throne

The fighter (like the writer) must stand alone. If he loses he cannot call an executive conference and throw off on a vice president or the assistant sales manager. He is consequently resented by fractional characters who cannot live outside an organization.

I'm not a joiner. I don't like organizations.

I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.

I don't need other people. I don't need help. I can take care of me.

I always had a very strong sense of independence.

It is the business of the very few to be independent; it is a privilege of the strong.

He moves fastest who moves alone.

Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand apart, to differ, to resist, and to defy-all are modes of being human.

I do things my way and I pay a high price.

It is better to rely on yourself than on your friends.

I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.

Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause. He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws.

Pin thy faith to no man's sleeve. Hast thou not two eyes of thy own?

Take advice, but not orders. Only give yourself orders. Abraham Lincoln once said, 'Since I will be no one's slave, I will be no one's master.'