Chuck Palahniuk Quotes Novels & Stories

Chuck Have you ever stopped to wonder if you let life pass you by? I've had thirteen years to wonder about that. I thought I wanted freedom. I thought I wanted to be single. But what do I have to show for it? A big, fat zero. I thought the world was my oyster back then. I rode the waves of freedom, going everywhere and doing everything I ever wanted. But it seems so hollow now, looking back on it.

“Besides, we survived worse. Remember when half the council tried to kill us and still expected dinner afterward?” “Vividly.” “They burned the stew.” “They always burn the stew.” He laughed again, quieter this time. “You know, if the world ever stops trying to end itself, we might actually have to find hobbies.” “I already have one.” “Commanding people doesn’t count.” “Then I’m doomed.” The last light slipped beyond the hills. Workers finished for the day, torches glowing along the walls like a slow heartbeat. “I used to think peace would feel empty,” Warren said.

He uttered as he glimpsed at me. "Isn't it too late for that? We're married already." "I disagree. Haven't you heard the quote by Mitch Albom? There is no such thing as too late in life." "Oh, I just heard it now." I was amazed. I didn't expect that a man like him would believe in quotes. "Now, you know." He grinned. Then, we became silent again. After a while, I took the courage to bring up the incident earlier. I turned to him as I wanted to see his reaction. "Alfred, about the trouble earlier."

My hand is itching to fling that champagne right in his face, to show him exactly what I think of that. But I manage to restrain myself. Just barely. I content myself with smiling up at him and saying, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Calester stares at me blankly. “What . . . what the fuck are you talking about? Does that mean you’re going to try to make the best of this mess?” “Sure,” I say. “What else can I do?” Actually, it’s a quote from The Art of War. Here’s another one I like:

"You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough." _________________________________________________ Narrator: "Man! Never had I had such a great adventure!" Exclaimed Heli as they entered their apartment, slumping on the couch. "You mean, the near death experience? I'll pass." Noah said with a shudder. Jake joined in. "Come on! You can't deny that it was fun now can you? And besides, you looked really cool when you tossed that bullet at that fat nutjob. What did you say again?"

“You are the only person who has ever really listened without making it weird,” Zack admits, his voice dropping to a lower register. “Everyone else either starts crying or tries to give me inspirational quotes or something.” The wind rustles through a nearby oak branches overhead while they sit in comfortable silence for a moment. “Inspirational quotes,” she echoed. “That is a new one. What like ‘hang in there’ cat posters? Weird.”

“You are starting to sound like Hunji more and more every day.” “And that’s a bad thing? Why?” I asked. “I didn’t say that, it’s just funny. You know, like ‘the student becomes the master’ kinda thing.” I rolled my eyes. He was always quoting movies, and he especially liked to quote fighting movies to me at any chance he got. That was one thing I was grateful for that had survived the extinction of humans, movies, and music. We walked back over to the benches where Kira was now sitting with Mike and Kellen.

“There’s no way I’m not kicking more Southwest wolf ass.” “Man, calling people pussies is sexist. Those things give birth to babies, which is the opposite of being weak or scared.” Lucas puffed out his chest. “The right saying is we aren’t chickens.” Miles shook his head. “Now is not the time for this.” I had to agree. “If everyone is good moving forward, let’s go.” I waved my left hand, then put all my weapons back in their places and cradled my right hand. The agony had improved marginally, but the pain was still damn near debilitating.

I snort. What a cliché quote some or other happy drunk motivational speaker concocted when he was at a loss for words. It must be the same asshole who suggested grabbing life by the horns, that winners never quit, and that everything happens for a reason. “Well, keep on dreaming, girl.” Cause that dream is not gonna happen. Luckily, that’s Axel’s shit. Not mine. I fake a smile, “Cheers!” and throw the alcohol down my throat before I bite into a piece of lemon. The sour taste causes goosebumps on my skin.

"Nope, sorry. Busy trying to figure out the equivalent of how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck chuck could chuck wood but for violating vultures playing violins vexing in Victoria," His face scrunched up, "What?" "It's not what, it's pardon you rude boy," I said as I got in and slammed the door shut.