Catherynne M. Valente Quotes

I have a number of vices, one of which is moderation.

Secretly we're all a little more absurd than we make ourselves out to be.

You know when you tell a self-deprecating story at a dinner party, everyone's laughing along with you? But then when someone else repeats that same story at another dinner party you feel they're all laughing at you?

What stands out about me the most? Probably my chains. I don't know.

A ship in dock, surrounded by quays and the walls of warehouses, has the appearance of a prisoner meditating upon freedom in the sadness of a free spirit put under restraint.

If I'm smart then I'll run away, but I'm not so I guess I'll stay

I don't want to preach, and I don't want to tell people what to do.

A bird on a tether, no matter how long the rope, can always be pulled back.

Coerced innocence is like an imprisoned lark,--open the door, and it is off forever. The bird that roams through the sky and the groves unrestrained knows how to dodge the hawk and protect itself; but the caged one, the moment it leaves its bars and bolts behind, is pounced upon by the fowler or the vulture.

You know who's also joining the Wall Street protesters? Kanye West. That's a real good idea -- a guy with diamonds in his teeth protesting greed.

The horse that drawes after him his halter, is not altogether escaped.

There is no such thing as Freedom (though it is the most important condition of human life, after Humility, -which does not exist either). There is only Slavery (walls around one) and absence-of-Slavery (ability to walk in any direction, or to remain still).

A prayer for the wild at heart kept in cages.

Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another.

Lots of people would be as cowardly as me if they were brave enough.

That which you condemn will condemn you, and that which you judge, you will one day become.

Keep in mind that I'm crazy, won't you?

Fetters of gold are still fetters, and the softest lining can never make them so easy as liberty.

I've always tried to have a rule that you shouldn't make fun of innocent people who can't defend themselves. I find that a little unseemly and distasteful. But nothing's really sacred to me.

Some one called Sir Richard Steele the "vilest of mankind," and he retorted with proud humility, "It would be a glorious world if I were.

Don't come lecturing us about liberty. You need a reality check. Don't act like a spoiled rude child. Here you will only find dignity and sovereignty. Here we haven't invaded anyone. Here we don't torture like in Guantanamo. Here we don't have drones killing alleged terrorist without any due trial, killing also the women and children of those supposed terrorists. So don't come lecturing us about life, law, dignity, or liberty. You don't have the moral right to do so.

We mock the things we are to be.

My father liked to moralize, and so do I. But he was in earnest, while I am embarrassed and pretend that I am merely being witty.

I hate being on my best behavior. It brings out the absolute worst in me.