We all live in suspense, from day to day, from hour to hour; in other words, we are the hero of our own story.
Mary McCarthyA good deal of education consists of unlearning-the breaking of bad habits as with a tennis serve.
Mary McCarthyI'm afraid I'm not sufficiently inhibited about the things that other women are inhibited about for me. They feel that you've given away trade secrets.
Mary McCarthyFor self-realization, a rebel demands a strong authority, a worthy opponent, God to his Lucifer.
Mary McCarthy... it was religion that saved me. Our ugly church and parochial school provided me with my only aesthetic outlet, in the words ofthe Mass and the litanies and the old Latin hymns, in the Easter lilies around the altar, rosaries, ornamented prayer books, votive lamps, holy cards stamped in gold and decorated with flower wreaths and a saint's picture.
Mary McCarthy