Hunter S. Thompson, an iconic figure in American journalism and literature, was known for his unapologetic and irreverent approach to life. Famous for his unique writing style referred to as “Gonzo journalism,” Thompson pushed the boundaries of conventional storytelling, fearlessly immersing himself in the subjects he covered. Beyond his literary achievements, Thompson also left behind a legacy of thought-provoking quotes that continue to resonate with readers today. This article delves into some of Hunter S. Thompson’s most memorable quotes, exploring the profound insights they offer into politics, society, and the human condition.
About Hunter S Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson, the legendary American journalist, and author, revolutionized the field of reporting with his fearless style and unconventional approach. Born on July 18, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky, Thompson emerged as a prominent figure during the countercultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s. His unique blend of immersive journalism, gonzo storytelling, and political critique made him a cultural icon whose influence can still be felt today.
Thompson’s most famous work is undoubtedly “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” published in 1972. This seminal book chronicled his drug-fueled escapades through Sin City while providing a scathing commentary on American society at large. Through his vivid prose filled with wit and cynicism, he captured the disillusionment and paranoia that permeated the era.
Top Hunter S Thompson Quotes
In this article, we delve into some of Hunter S. Thompson’s most memorable quotes that not only reflect his unconventional thinking but also offer profound insights into various aspects of life. From his witty observations on politics to his unfiltered commentary on society’s flaws, Thompson’s words continue to resonate with readers around the world. Join us as we explore a compilation of the top Hunter S.
“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.”
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”.
“Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”
“Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.”
Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing. Life is too short to waste on things that don’t incite excitement and passion within us. Whether it’s pursuing a new hobby, taking up a thrilling adventure, or immersing ourselves in a challenging project, the adrenaline rush we experience is an indicator of something worthwhile. Engaging in activities that make our hearts pound can lead to personal growth, unforgettable experiences, and even unexpected opportunities.
When we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown, we invite incredible possibilities into our lives. Taking risks may be daunting at first, but the reward can be extraordinary. It could be as simple as trying a new type of cuisine or as daring as skydiving from an airplane; these moments challenge us to overcome fear and discover strengths we never knew existed.
“Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living WITHIN that way of life.”
“Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously.”
“Too weird to live, too rare to die!”
“Life is beautiful and living is pain.”
“THE EDGE, there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”
“So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?”
“You can’t miss what you never had.”
“America… just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.”
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
“Never turn your back on fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed.”
“We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and – in spite of True Romance magazines – we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way.”
“Hope rises and dreams flicker and die. Love plans for tomorrow and loneliness thinks of yesterday. Life is beautiful and living is pain.”
“Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.”
Freedom is a precious gift bestowed upon every individual. However, it is not enough to simply possess freedom; one must actively exercise it for it to thrive and flourish. Freedom, like any other muscle, grows stronger with use and weakens when neglected. It is in the act of utilizing our freedom that we truly embrace its power and potential. When we fail to exercise our freedom, it becomes stagnant and lifeless.
It loses its vibrancy and loses meaning in our lives. Our forefathers fought tirelessly for the freedoms we enjoy today, but their efforts will be in vain if we do not continue to fight for those same freedoms ourselves. The responsibility lies with each individual to safeguard their personal liberties by actively participating in society, voicing opinions, challenging injustices, and engaging in open dialogue. Moreover, without the active pursuit of freedom, society as a whole suffers.
“On some nights, I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
“There is no story unless you’ve written it.”
“I will fight for your right to be weird- just as I know you will fight for mine.”
“It never got weird enough for me.”
“In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”
“We cannot expect people to have respect for law and order until we teach respect to those we have entrusted to enforce those laws.”
“If you get people asking the wrong questions, you don’t have to worry about the answers.”
“You won’t find reasonable men on the tops of tall mountains.”
“I don’t see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.”
“Kill the body and the head will die.”
“Journalism, to me, is just another drug – a free ride to scenes I’d probably miss if I stayed straight.”
“There is no such thing as paranoia. Your worst fears can come true at any moment.”
“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
“As you were, I was. As I am, you will be.”
“The only difference between the sane and the insane is that the sane have the power to lock up the insane.”
“Objective journalism is one of the main reasons that American politics has been allowed to be so corrupt for so long.”
“All my life, my heart has sought a thing I cannot name. Remembered line from a long- forgotten poem.”
“I learned a long time ago that reality was much weirder than anyone’s imagination.”
“In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”
“The brutal reality of politics would be probably intolerable without drugs.”
“Politics is the art of controlling your environment.”
“Luck is a very thin wire between survival and disaster, and not many people can keep their balance on it.”
“Weird behavior is natural in smart children, like curiosity is to a kitten.”
“There are always risks in challenging excessive police power, but the risks of not challenging it are more dangerous, even fatal.”
“I am a generous man, by nature, and far more trusting than I should be. Indeed. The real world is risky territory for people with generosity of spirit. Beware.”
“Nixon represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear and despise.”
“It gave me a strange feeling, and the rest of that night I didn’t say much, but merely sat there and drank, trying to decide if I was getting older and wiser, or just plain old.”
“I felt a tremendous distance between myself and everything real.”
“Liberalism itself has failed, and for a pretty good reason. It has been too often compromised by the people who represented it.”
Liberalism, as an ideology rooted in individual freedom and equality, has undeniably faced numerous setbacks and failures throughout history. However, one of the most significant reasons for its perceived failure lies in the compromising actions of those who have claimed to represent it. The very essence of liberalism is based on championing progressive ideas and advocating for social change, but time and again, individuals within liberal circles have strayed from these principles.
Firstly, many self-proclaimed liberal leaders have succumbed to the temptations of power. Too often, they prioritize their own personal gains over the collective interests they were elected or appointed to serve. This betrayal of trust undermines any potential progress that could be made through liberalism’s core values. Additionally, some liberals become entangled in political gamesmanship instead of focusing on tangible policy solutions that could address pressing societal issues.
“All the blood is drained out of democracy – it dies – when only half the population votes.”
“Gonzo journalism is a style of reporting based on William Faulkner’s idea that the best fiction is far more true than any kind of journalism…”
“It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.”
“Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.”
“There is something fresh and crisp about the first hours of a Caribbean day, a happy anticipation that something is about to happen, maybe just up the street or around the next corner.”
“But I am in the gambling business, for good or ill; it is the business I have chosen, and the only governing rule that we all recognize is: always sit close to an exit and never trust a man who doesn’t sweat.”
“An outlaw can be defined as somebody who lives outside the law, beyond the law and not necessarily against it.”
“What the hell is the sense of trying to hold the Democratic party together, if it’s really a party of expediency, something that’s put together every four years?”
“Every GOP administration since 1952 has let the Military-Industrial Complex loot the Treasury and plunge the nation into debt on the excuse of a wartime economic emergency.”
“Nixon was a professional politician, and I despised everything he stood for – but if he were running for president this year against the evil Bush-Cheney gang, I would happily vote for him.”
“I can’t think in terms of journalism without thinking in terms of political ends. Unless there’s been a reaction, there’s been no journalism. It’s cause and effect.”
“Fiction is a bridge to the truth that journalism can’t reach.”
Fiction is a powerful tool that allows us to explore the depths of human experience and understanding in ways that journalism often falls short of. While journalism aims to provide factual information and report on real-world events, fiction holds the unique ability to delve into the emotional and psychological realms of truth that cannot always be captured by objective reporting. By weaving intricate narratives, characters, and worlds, fiction helps us uncover profound insights into our shared humanity.
Through storytelling, authors can transcend the constraints of reality and tackle complex issues with nuance and creativity. Fictional works have the freedom to challenge societal norms, question authority, and explore alternative possibilities. These imaginative leaps enable readers to engage with difficult subjects from multiple perspectives, sparking empathy and fostering critical thinking. In this way, fiction serves as a bridge connecting us to deeper truths about ourselves and the world around us.
“There is probably some long-standing “rule” among writers, journalists, and other word-mongers that says: “When you start stealing from your own work you’re in bad trouble.” And it may be true.”
“That was always the difference between Muhammad Ali and the rest of us. He came, he saw, and if he didn’t entirely conquer – he came as close as anybody we are likely to see in the lifetime of this doomed generation.”
“I had a soft spot in my heart for Ronald Regan, if only because he was a sportswriter in his youth, and also because his wife gave the best head in Hollywood.”
“The only thing I ever saw that came close to Objective Journalism was a closed-circuit TV setup that watched shoplifters in the General Store at Woody Creek, Colorado.”
“I’ve already become a mastodon in print – I don’t see a consciousness for my kind of journalism.”
“If you consider the great journalists in history, you don’t see too many objective journalists on that list.”
FAQs
Author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas(1971).
Hunter S. Thompson
A style of reporting that places the reporter at the center of the story in a highly personal and participatory way.
Let’s Wind Up…
Hunter S. Thompson’s quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a truly unique and unconventional writer. His words are filled with wit, wisdom, and an unapologetic rebelliousness that resonates with readers across generations. From his musings on politics to his insights on journalism and the human experience, Thompson’s quotes continue to inspire and provoke thought. Whether you agree or disagree with his perspectives, there is no denying the impact he has had on literature and counterculture. So let us remember and celebrate this literary outlaw by embracing his words as a reminder to question authority, challenge societal norms, and pursue our passions fearlessly. As Thompson once said, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.