Erica Jong Quotes

We came to realize how little married couples see of each other once they crawl in the bourgeois box.

Maybe marriages are best in middle age. When all the nonsense falls away and you realize you have to love one another because you're going to die anyway.

Everyone has talent. What's rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads.

We're programmed for suffering, not joy. The masochism is built in at a very early age. You're supposed to work and suffer - and the trouble is: you believe it.

Why are women so ungenerous to other women? Is it because we have been tokens for so long? Or is there a deeper animosity we owe it to ourselves to ex

Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads.

Tears are a form of communication - like speech - and require a listener.

There is nothing fiercer than a failed artist. The energy remains, but having no outlet, it implodes in a great fart of rage which smokes up all the inner windows of the soul.

There is nothing fiercer than a failed artist. The energy remains, but, having no outlet, it implodes in a great fart of rage which smokes up all the inner windows of the soul.

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.

Because When you write about people, you inevitably offend--but if you write about animals, the evil do not recognize themselves but the good understand immediately.

...filled her memory bank with shiny coins.

Without the gods, how would I sing?' I asked.With your own voice, ' he said.

...readers who think I have answers when all I have are a few pointed questions...

How did I get to be a grown-up? At times, I find myself still sitting on the hillside, plotting revenge against the adult world.

Young women dream of romance and passion as men dream of conquest because those dreams are necessary goads to leaving home and growing up.

she died of internal weeping

You're afraid of criticism, ' she says. 'But criticism is a sign of life! You know who doesn't get criticized? Nonentities! Only the dead escape criticism.

And what is laughter anyway? Changing the angle of vision.

I have accepted fear as a part of life -specifically the fear of change ... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back. ...

I have accepted fear as a part of life-specifically the fear of change. ... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back....

I have not ceased being fearful but I have ceased to let fear control me.

Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads.

I have accepted fear as a part of life-specifically the fear of change. ... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back. ...

I know some good marriages-marriages where both people are just trying to get through their days by helping each other being good to each other.

Bigamy is having one husband too many. Monogamy is the same.

If every day I dare to remember that I am here on loan that this house this hillside these minutes are all leased to me not given I will never despair.

I write lustily and humorously. It isn't calculated it's the way I think. I've invented a writing style that expresses who I am.

And the trouble is if you don't risk anything you risk even more.

Take your life in your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.

I was afraid to write Fear of Flying ergo I had to write it. I have lived my life according to this principle: If I'm afraid of it then I must do it.

Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads.

I guess the thing that I'm most proud of is that I kept on writing poetry. I understand that poetry is sort of the source of everything I do. It's the source of my creativity.

In poetry you can express almost inexpressible feelings. You can express the pain of loss, you can express love. People always turn to poetry when someone they love dies, when they fall in love.