Mason Cooley (1927 – July 25, 2002) was an American aphorist known for his witty aphorisms. One of these such aphorisms Cooley developed was "The time I kill is killing me."
The ironies in the commonplace are my inspiration and delight.
My mother wanted to shrink from my clinging, but did not.
Even in writing an annual report, the unconscious plays a role.
Cruel impulses stir all about my kindly heart.
Explanations comfort us by giving the impression that there is an order in things.
People often are unsure whether or not they are in love, but they generally know whether or not they are having sex.
Retirement requires the invention of a new hedonism, not a return to the hedonism of youth
Work at first rescues us, then ravages us.
To love a fool is a misfortune, but does not make one a fool.
'Be faithful to your roots' is the liberal version of 'Stay in your ghetto. '
A beautiful woman peers out her window, as full of envy as the harridan who peers up at her from the street.
When lying to someone, look him straight in the eye.
Living too long exacts a painful price.
Finding a thought for an aphorism is not hard. Putting a kink in its tail is the hard part.
When a paradox is widely believed, it is no longer recognized as a paradox.
Reputation runs behind the current state of affairs.
A blocked path also offers guidance.
Paradox likes contradictions with exits.
Constant talkers are unheard.
The language of pornography is abusive, that of romance adoring. Both are addressed to a fetish.