S. Craig Zahler > Quotes

“Sometimes art is supposed to upset you"
"Why?"
"It might help you work through some of your own bad feelings or change how you look at yourself or something you're experiencing or somebody who know or once knew. And often, there're hidden messages in this kind of art that you don't see right away-so it can make you think, which is never a bad thing.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Hug Chickenpenny: The Panegyric of an Anomalous Child

“A long time is not the same as always.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“Revenge is a fool’s obsession.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“On an instinctual level,” Long Clay said, “a man fears torture and disfigurement more than he fears death. He can imagine what it’s like to be branded, because he’s burned himself; he can imagine what’s its like to be blind, because he’s been in a dark room stumbling into furniture; and if he’s ever had any pain in his privates, he can imagine what being castrated might feel like. “Death is very different to him, because it’s an unknown. The man might even believe it’s the beginning of some new type of existence—like those heaven fantasies your sister entertains.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“Eyes that did not seem attached to anything rational stared out at the gentleman from a craggy canvas of inebriation, grief and hatred. In the leather holster that depended from John Lawrence Plugford’s waist sat a wide gauge sawed-off shotgun that had been covered with black paint. “Good morning,” Nathaniel said to the bestial face.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“Although he was certain that he would lose, he would do his best to land a few satisfying blows.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“Why?"
"Because," Yvette replied, "if you don't keep going through the bad times, things will never get better.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“Humberto drank a deep draught of red wine and sighed at the concepts of fidelity and monogamy to which he was shackled. He would remain faithful to his wife for the remainder of his life, and he would never caress or be caressed by a new woman ever again.
There were many reasons to hope for an afterlife.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Wraiths of the Broken Land

“said the minister, who then cackled loudly in the way that men do when they have spent too much time alone and need to hear their own laughter to keep themselves company.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“unintelligent woman knew that everyone else was smarter than she was and consequently mistrusted people. A smart woman who mistook herself for a genius was far easier game.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“When the bride-to-be was two hundred yards from James Lingham’s property line, she heard the sound of his hammer pounding nails and knew exactly where he would be. She adjusted the basket on her arm, circumvented his house and crept upon the laboring carpenter. Jesus and Joseph saw her approach, but did not bother to remark upon it to their master, which was either a sign of growing familiarity or a subtle canine insult.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“There’s a very big difference between being intelligent and being smart.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“Whenever people say, ‘I don’t give a fuck,’ they actually mean, ‘I do give a fuck, but will do my best to pretend otherwise.’ Nobody uses the work ‘fuck’ when they’re feeling apathetic.”
― S. Craig Zahler, The Slanted Gutter

“Both of you get up,” said the twin who could speak.”
― S. Craig Zahler, A Congregation of Jackals

“Get your driver’s license and put—” “I don’t have one.” “Then your birth certificate or social security card.” “I don’t have those either.” “Get something with your name on it—a credit card or a bill—anything—and put on some clothes.” “I’m dressed.” Liz tugged at her nightgown, disturbing breasts that resembled the eyes of an alcoholic. “Lots of women wear this around the house.” “Yours needs an addition,” said Dominic. “I’m not ashamed of how God made me.” “Don’t let Him take all the credit.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Mean Business on North Ganson Street

“Dave Stanley bit into his ravioli, and a flood of warm and salty ricotta filled his mouth. “They make it good here.” “When it’s fresh from the kitchen, it’s a seven.” The young officer had anticipated this comment: Gianetto rated everything that he cared about on a scale that went from zero to ten. Food, movies, actresses, cars, the nine books that he had read in college, and a pantheon of classic rock albums had all received numerical classifications, as had less obvious things like cities, countries, his wife’s dresses, dog breeds, and supermarkets. The only things that had ever received tens were Italy and Rottweilers.”
― S. Craig Zahler, Mean Business on North Ganson Street