“We proceed in this society of ours on the possibly valid but untrue assumption that the public knows what it wants-- indeed, that it is given sufficient information about what is available to make such a judgment. And then we jump, irresponsibly and absurdly, to the notion that there is a valid relationship between what the public wants and what it should want.”

“I think we should all live on the precipe of life, as fully and as dangerously as possible. Everyone should make the assumption that they're going through life only once. Tomorrow we die. Why not take chances, extend yourself? How awful it is when a person comes to the end of life full of regret.”

“Unless you are terribly, terribly careful, you run the danger-- without even knowing it is happening to you-- of slipping into the fatal error of reflecting the public taste instead of creating it. Your responsibility is to the public consciousness, not to the public view of itself.”

“I said I was impressed, Martha. I'm beside myself with jealousy. What do you want me to do, throw up?”

“You're alive only once, as far as we know, and what could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn't lived it?”

“I write to find out what I'm talking about.”

“Martha: Fix the kids a drink, George. What would you like to drink, kid– kid.Nick: Honey? what would you like?Honey: Ohhhh, I don't know, dear, a little brandy maybe. "Never mix, never worry!"George: Brandy? Just brandy? Simple, simple…[George turns to Nick.]George: What about you, em… em… em…Nick: Bourbon on the rocks, if you don't mind.George: Mind? I don't mind. I don't think I mind. Martha? Rubbing alcohol for you?Martha: Sure! "Never mix, never worry!”