John Updike Quotes

Belief, like love, must be voluntary.

Love is a choice you make from moment to moment.

Patriotism is voluntary. It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief. A patriot shows their their patriotism through their actions, by their choice.

The only people who make love all the time are liars.

If I want to kiss, I shall kiss. If I am told that a lovemaking scene is integral to the script, I will consider it.

Ultimately, who you choose to be in a relationship with and what you do in your bedroom is your business.

I think marriage and family keeps being written about because that's where we keep our reputations with ourselves - I mean, we can't quite slip the truths we reveal about ourselves at home.

Every adult has the right to choose who they wish to spend their lives with, and we're all capable of making mistakes, but no one escapes with their self-regard intact.

I don't want anyone part of my love life besides me and the person I'm loving.

I've been really very fortunate with the men I've been involved with. They've always really treated me very, very wonderfully. And whenever anything broke up, I was always the one to leave. So I think I've been really very, very lucky.

Nothing is inevitable with relationships.

The truth is you can have a great marriage, but there are still no guarantees.

I would love for everyone to be a feminist, but I have to respect people's choices. If you don't want to be a feminist and don't want to claim feminism, that's entirely your right.

This marriage is no one's business but our own.

Don't underestimate the people. Let them decide.

When undertaking marriage, everyone must be the judge of his own thoughts, and take counsel from himself.

No choice is the wrong choice as long as you make a choice. The only wrong choice is choosing not to make one.

We can't command our love, but we can our actions.

No human creature can give orders to love.

The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again - and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.

It's a human right to be able to have a relationship.

If you want to wear long hair or wear that dress, as long as you're not hurting yourself or anybody else, I say do it. If you want to go out and have a romantic, sexy affair, do it.

I fight because I want to not because I have to.

I believe the foundation of love is based on honesty and truth.

I believe in empowering people rather than advising them and forcing them in a direction which I feel is right.