Quote

If we ban whatever offends any group in our diverse society, we will soon have no art, no culture, no humor, no satire. Satire is by its nature offensive. So is much art and political discourse. The value of these expressions far outweighs their risk.

Erica Jong

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Erica Jong
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: March 26
Author
Feminist
Novelist
Poet
Writer
New York City
New York
Erica Mann Jong
Society
Group
Offends
Values
Soon
Bans
Culture
Value
Expressions
Art
Groups
Satire
Political
Expression
Censorship
Nature
Humor
Discourse
Much
Risk
Offensive
Whatever
Diverse
Outweighs

More quotes by Erica Jong

Image
Though my friends envied me because I always seemed so cheerful and confident, I was secretly terrified of practically everything.
Erica Jong
Image
At certain historic moments, grandparents took on childrearing responsibilities. In many cultures, they still do. Chinese grandparents who are able to retire at 55 are seen all over Beijing bouncing grandbabies. In the United States, we can't afford to retire at 55.
Erica Jong
Image
Women are individuals in parenting, and why not?
Erica Jong
Image
Critics write out of intellectual exercise, not poets. Poets write straight from the heart.
Erica Jong
Image
Exceptional people are often called crazy by the ordinary world.
Erica Jong
Image
It is not surprising that Venice is known above all for mirrors and glass since Venice is the most narcissistic city in the world, the city that celebrates self-mirroring.
Erica Jong
Image
A concern with 'public morality' is - if not the last refuge of a scoundrel - the first foray of the fascist.
Erica Jong
Image
Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.
Erica Jong
Image
If we don't risk anything, we risk even more.
Erica Jong
Image
People always think that history proceeds in a straight line. It doesn't. Social attitudes don't change in a straight line. There's always a backlash against progressive ideas.
Erica Jong
Image
It is the nature of those books we call classics to wait patiently on the shelf for us to grow into them.
Erica Jong
Image
I have forgotten my rave reviews and memorized my vicious ones - like most writers.
Erica Jong
Image
Fear is a sign-usually a sign that I'm doing something right.
Erica Jong
Image
Compose with utter freedom and edit with utter discipline.
Erica Jong
Image
I actually think leaving your children alone to fantasize, to write, to make projects on their own is good for them. Breathing down their necks is a form of control. Children should have their own space.
Erica Jong
Image
Writing about sex turns out to be just writing about life.
Erica Jong
Image
I think poetry is the best thing I do. It's certainly the purest. I seem to switch gears without too much trouble. Non-fiction is in many ways the easiest to write.
Erica Jong
Image
Eating is never so simple as hunger.
Erica Jong
Image
I think feminism means what it has always meant - women want to use all their gifts, all their talents and be judged impartially for them. I don't think feminism has ever meant anything else.
Erica Jong
Image
The camera creates a magical transformation. It's not enough to exist we must chronicle that existence. ... Narrative- and image-making creatures like humans don't feel any experience is complete unless it's recorded.
Erica Jong