“The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likable. In three days no one could stand him.”
“He was a self-made man who owed his lack of success to nobody.”
“You know, that might be the answer – to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That’s a trick that never seems to fail.”
And this classic exchange:
“‘You have a morbid aversion to dying. You probably resent the fact that you're at war and might get your head blown off any second.’
“‘I more than resent it, sir. I'm absolutely incensed.’
“‘You have deep-seated survival anxieties. And you don't like bigots, bullies, snobs, or hypocrites. Subconsciously there are many people you hate.’
“‘Consciously, sir, consciously,’ Yossarian corrected in an effort to help. ‘I hate them consciously.’
“!You're antagonistic to the idea of being robbed, exploited, degraded, humiliated, or deceived. Misery depresses you. Ignorance depresses you. Persecution depresses you. Violence depresses you. Corruption depresses you. You know, it wouldn't surprise me if you're a manic-depressive!’
“‘Yes, sir. Perhaps I am.’
“‘Don't try to deny it.’
“‘I'm not denying it, sir,’ said Yossarian, pleased with the miraculous rapport that finally existed between them. ‘I agree with all you've said.’”
More brilliant nuggets:
“The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likable. In three days no one could stand him.”
“He was a self-made man who owed his lack of success to nobody.”
“You know, that might be the answer – to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That’s a trick that never seems to fail.”
And this classic exchange:
“‘You have a morbid aversion to dying. You probably resent the fact that you're at war and might get your head blown off any second.’
“‘I more than resent it, sir. I'm absolutely incensed.’
“‘You have deep-seated survival anxieties. And you don't like bigots, bullies, snobs, or hypocrites. Subconsciously there are many people you hate.’
“‘Consciously, sir, consciously,’ Yossarian corrected in an effort to help. ‘I hate them consciously.’
“!You're antagonistic to the idea of being robbed, exploited, degraded, humiliated, or deceived. Misery depresses you. Ignorance depresses you. Persecution depresses you. Violence depresses you. Corruption depresses you. You know, it wouldn't surprise me if you're a manic-depressive!’
“‘Yes, sir. Perhaps I am.’
“‘Don't try to deny it.’
“‘I'm not denying it, sir,’ said Yossarian, pleased with the miraculous rapport that finally existed between them. ‘I agree with all you've said.’”
All very potent !