Thomas Harris Quotes

Contempt is a dangerous emotion, luring us into believing that we understand more than we do. Contempt causes us to jeer rather than speak, to poke at rather than touch.

Contempt is the emotion we feel for an opponent whose arguments are too formidable to refute.

Loser loser, double loser, whatever, as if, get the picture. DUH!

And as they pass, turn back and laugh at me.

Happiness: an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.

Who can refute a sneer?

Isn't it the sweetest mockery to mock our enemies?

I just love to watch people get scared. It's like, 'Yes, I accomplished my goal!'

Facetiousness is allowable when it is the most proper instrument of exposing things apparently base and vile to due contempt.

A little disdain is not amiss; a little scorn is alluring.

Well, all comedy starts with anger. You get angry, and its never for a good reason, right? You know its not a good reason. And then you try and work it from there.

The quietness of his tone italicized the malice of his reply.

It is horrid to smirk.

When he said we were trying to make a fool of him, I could only murmur that the Creator had beat us to it.

A solitary laugh is often a laugh of superiority.

You are a daft race. Begone!

Man learns more readily and remembers more willingly what excites his ridicule than what deserves his esteem and respect.

Laughter does not please the mighty.

Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.

Don't get the impression that you arouse my anger. You see, one can only be angry with those he respects.

I've done pretty well as a professional fed-up. The tools of my trade so far have been irony, tongue-in-cheek mockery, and supercilious contempt, but these are highly civilized weapons designed for 18th-century French salons.

Contempt, thought Tyrion, the universal tongue.

Good try, ya bugging shank. The Gathering elects Runners, and if you think I'm tough, they'd laugh in your face.

Yeah, I can dig that... SUCKAAAAAAAAAA!

Contempt is not a thing to be despised. It may be borne with a calm and equal mind, but no man, by lifting his head high, can pretend that he does not perceive the scorns that are poured down on him from above.