John D. MacDonald: Quotes about people

“Nina was always loved. Maybe that’s a bad thing. It gives people that terrible confidence that the world is going to give them the chance to fulfill themselves.”

John D. MacDonald

Travis McGee series, (1964)

Love , People , World , Confidence

“It isn't foolish or wicked to enjoy. Wickedness is hurting people on purpose.”

John D. MacDonald

Travis McGee series, Nightmare in Pink (1964)
Context: It isn't foolish or wicked to enjoy. Wickedness is hurting people on purpose. I love what you are and who you are and how you are. You give me great joy. And you make horrible coffee.

People , Hurt

“I know just enough about myself to know I cannot settle for one of those simplifications which indignant people seize upon to make understandable a world too complex for their comprehension.”

John D. MacDonald

Travis McGee series, A Deadly Shade of Gold (1965)
Context: I know just enough about myself to know I cannot settle for one of those simplifications which indignant people seize upon to make understandable a world too complex for their comprehension. Astrology, health food, flag waving, bible thumping, Zen, nudism, nihilism — all of these are grotesque simplifications which small dreary people adopt in the hope of thereby finding The Answer, because the very concept that maybe there is no answer, never has been, never will be, terrifies them.

People , World , Understanding

“… there are people who try to look as if they are doing a good and thorough job, and then there are the people who actually damn well do it, for its own sake.”

John D. MacDonald book Free Fall in Crimson

Source: Free Fall in Crimson

People

“Statistically it is probably the one city in the world where the most people have been killed in arguments over professional athletes.”

John D. MacDonald

Travis McGee series, (1966)

People , World

“By feeling insecure about our making love, Nina, you make the inference that we are a pair of cheap people involved in some cheap pleasant friction. Pull on the pants and walk away, adding up the score. I think we're interested in each other, involved with each other, curious about each other. This was a part of exploring and learning. When it's good you learn something about yourself too. If the spirit is involved, if there is tenderness and respect and awareness of need, that's all the morality I care about.”

John D. MacDonald

Travis McGee series, (1964)

Love , People , Making love , Feeling