P

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.

“People will tell you anything but what they do is always the truth.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Truth

All Quotes by P. J. O'Rourke

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

— P. J. O'Rourke

Men

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

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

“In our brief national history we have shot four of our presidents, worried five of them to death, impeached one and hounded another out of office. And when all else fails, we hold an election and assassinate their character.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Death

“Never wear anything that panics the cat.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Pet

“Whatever it is that the government does, sensible Americans would prefer that the government does it to somebody else. This is the idea behind foreign policy.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

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

— P. J. O'Rourke

Money

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

— P. J. O'Rourke

Family

“Everybody knows how to raise children, except the people who have them.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Funny

“If you are young and you drink a great deal it will spoil your health, slow your mind, make you fat - in other words, turn you into an adult.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Great

“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

“Staying married may have long-term benefits. You can elicit much more sympathy from friends over a bad marriage than you ever can from a good divorce.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Marriage

“Hubris is one of the great renewable resources.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Great

“I like to think of my behavior in the sixties as a 'learning experience.' Then again, I like to think of anything stupid I've done as a 'learning experience.' It makes me feel less stupid.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Experience

“Never fight an inanimate object.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Funny

“People will tell you anything but what they do is always the truth.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Truth

“If government were a product, selling it would be illegal.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Government

“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

“Nobody likes insurance companies, especially health insurance companies.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Health

“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

“When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.”

— P. J. O'Rourke

Politics