Phonies Quotes

“Lawyers are alright, I guess — but it doesn't appeal to me", I said. "I mean they're alright if they go around saving innocent guys' lives all the time, and like that, but you don't do that kind of stuff if you're a lawyer. All you do is make a lot of dough and play golf and play bridge and buy cars and drink Martinis and look like a hot-shot. And besides, even if you did go around saving guys' lives and all, how would you know if you did it because you really wanted to save guys' lives, or because you did it because what you really wanted to do was be a terrific lawyer, with everybody slapping you on the back and congratulating you in court when the goddam trial was over, the reporters and everybody, the way it is in the dirty movies? How would you know you weren't being a phony? The trouble is you wouldn't.”
― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

“See, Biff, everybody around me is so false that I'm constantly lowering my ideals...”
― Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman

“Live how you live, feel how you feel and fuck all the phonies in your way.”
― Christopher Krovatin, Heavy Metal And You

“Royal summoned mourners. They came from the village, from the neighboring hills and, wailing like dogs at midnight, laid siege to the house. Old women beat their heads against the walls, moaning men prostrated themselves: it was the art of sorrow, and those who best mimicked grief were much admired. After the funeral everyone went away, satisfied that they'd done a good job.”
― Truman Capote, House of Flowers

“Gerald's look assured her that he and the others would be as near angels as children could be without ceasing to be human.”
― E. Nesbit, The Enchanted Castle

“16. Christians should never consult astrologers, psychics, or those who practice witchcraft (see Isaiah 47:13-14). They are usually phonies who only pretend to have extrasensory powers. But in some cases, they are working in cooperation with Satan. Rather than tamper with this evil world, the one true God wants us to bring our needs, problems, and decisions to Him. He has promised to lead us into all truth (see John 8:32).”
― James C. Dobson, Life on the Edge: The Next Generation's Guide to a Meaningful Future

“I see it out of the corner of my eye as the man moves his fork toward his mouth. He's talking to the woman and he looks like the same pompous asshole I've been watching for the last hour. Truly. The he moves the fork and a piece of pasta falls off. It hits his lip and smears cheese down his perfect, clefted chin. He tries to act cool, but for a split second, like a flash of light, I see what he's hiding.

Curt looks up with his chin still on the table. He's watching me watch them. "You saw it, didn't you?" he breathes.

I shake my head. "No, I didn't see anything really...." I squint.

the woman puts a small amount of egg on her fork, then lifts it tentatively. She's trying to act beautiful, in control. She moves her body sideways, then opens her mouth....

"See?" curt asks drowsy. "You see it?"

I stare, fascinated. Maybe, after all, I do.

Curt nods in answer to the question I haven't asked.

"Finally," he says. "Do you get it now?"

I nod very slowly. The woman takes another bite, and I don't think about her legs anymore. I just watch for the flash. I don't think I will, but I see it again. One minute she looks confident , perfect, the next I see something else. I cringe.

I try watching the man instead, but that's worse. I realize for the first time that he's trying really hard.”
― K.L. Going, Fat Kid Rules the World

“When you're doing good everybody wants to be your best friend, he said. When you're doing bad nobody wants to know you. That's in any business in any part of life. If you live long enough, you'll see what I mean.”
― Beth Raymer, Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling

“Hypocritical paradoxes arise within an individual in proportion to their growing status or fame.”
― Stewart Stafford

“With good morality first candidates you'll get bad candor, bad ethics, bad loyalty and bad morality - lastly bad odor will surface to save the day if you maintain good optimism like I do.”
― Brian Spellman