Wisdom Quote by Joseph Heller — Inspiring Words on Life, Love & Wisdom

“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.”

“History did not demand Yossarian's premature demise, justice could be satisfied without it, progress did not hinge upon it, victory did not depend on it. That men would die was a matter of necessity; WHICH men would die, though, was a matter of circumstance, and Yossarian was willing to be the victim of anything but circumstance. But that was war. Just about all he could find in its favor was that it paid well and liberated children from the pernicious influence of their parents.”

“Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.”

“They couldn't keep Death out, but while she was in she had to act like a lady.”

“Why are they going to disappear him?'”

“There's kind of wisdom that must”

“Believe in yourself. Under-confidence leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy that you are not good enough for your work.”

“What good is power when you're too wise to use it?”

“It is the part of a wise man, I say, to refresh and restore himself in moderation with pleasant food and drink, with scents, with the beauty of green plants, with decoration, music, sports, the theater, and other things of this kind, which anyone can use without injury to another.”

“Desire is the seed of potential.”

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”