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Raymond Chandler

12 quotes

Details about Raymond Chandler's life are scarce, but their observations have traveled far and wide. Whether reflecting on Society or Intelligence, Raymond Chandler brought uncommon clarity to every subject. 14 of Raymond Chandler's sharpest quotes live here, spanning themes of Society, Intelligence, Attitude, Smile, and Power. One quote that captures their voice: "He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food."

“Most critical writing is drivel and half of it is dishonest. It is a short cut to oblivion, anyway. Thinking in terms of ideas destroys the power to think in terms of emotions and sensations.”

— Raymond Chandler

Power

All Quotes by Raymond Chandler

“The minute you try to talk business with him he takes the attitude that he is a gentleman and a scholar, and the moment you try to approach him on the level of his moral integrity he starts to talk business.”

— Raymond Chandler

Attitude

“It is not a fragrant world.”

— Raymond Chandler

Society

“Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside an advertising agency.”

— Raymond Chandler

Intelligence

“He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.”

— Raymond Chandler

Food

“Most critical writing is drivel and half of it is dishonest. It is a short cut to oblivion, anyway. Thinking in terms of ideas destroys the power to think in terms of emotions and sensations.”

— Raymond Chandler

Power

“Chess is the most elaborate waste of human intelligence outside of an advertising agency.”

— Raymond Chandler

Intelligence

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

— Raymond Chandler

Attitude

“An age which is incapable of poetry is incapable of any kind of literature except the cleverness of a decadence.”

— Raymond Chandler

Age

“Television is just one more facet of that considerable segment of our society that never had any standard but the soft buck.”

— Raymond Chandler

Society

“Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little away from his need or desire to write at all. In the end he knows all the tricks and has nothing to say.”

— Raymond Chandler

Art

“She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket.”

— Raymond Chandler

Smile

“Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third is routine. After that you take the girl's clothes off.”

— Raymond Chandler

Love