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P. J. O'Rourke

56 quotes

P. J. O'Rourke (1947–2022) was an American political satirist and journalist known for his sharp, irreverent commentary on politics, economics, and culture. A self-described "Republican Party reptile," O'Rourke brought libertarian sensibilities and laugh-out-loud humor to subjects that most writers treat with deadly seriousness.

“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Car

All Quotes by P. J. O'Rourke

“Feeling good about government is like looking on the bright side of any catastrophe. When you quit looking on the bright side, the catastrophe is still there.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Good

“I think it's been hard for people to understand how Islam can be a good religion, and yet the Islamists are evil. Those of us who have had experience with Islam understand this, just as we understand the difference between snake handlers and people going to church on Sunday morning.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Experience

“The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

“There are plenty of problems in the world, and doubtless climate change - or whatever the currently voguish phrase for it all is - certainly is one of them. But it's low on my list.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Change

“We need a government, alas, because of the nature of humans.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

“Never wear anything that panics the cat.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Pet

“Even very young children need to be informed about dying. Explain the concept of death very carefully to your child. This will make threatening him with it much more effective.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Death

“Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Funny

“The good news is that, according to the Obama administration, the rich will pay for everything. The bad news is that, according to the Obama administration, you're rich.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Good

“You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Money

“The idea of capitalism is not just success but also the failure that allows success to happen.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Failure

“Family love is messy, clinging, and of an annoying and repetitive pattern, like bad wallpaper.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Family

“What would annoy the most people most often? That is the true left-wing test of government intervention.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

“There is one thing women can never take away from men. We die sooner.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Men

“I do have to travel a lot for speaking engagements.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Travel

“Because of their size, parents may be difficult to discipline properly.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Funny

“My wife and I both come from Irish families. There are two kinds of Irish families: the hitting kind and the kidding kind. If you're fortunate - and both of us are - you come from the kidding kind of Irish family.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Family

“After all, what is your host's purpose in having a party? Surely not for you to enjoy yourself if that were their sole purpose, they'd have simply sent champagne and women over to your place by taxi.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Women

“People are always angry at America. They're absolutely certain that America either caused their problems or is deliberately not fixing their problems. But the anger is always directed at America and never at Americans.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Anger

“Let's reintroduce corporal punishment in the schools - and use it on the teachers.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Teacher