Truman Capote Quotes

A collection of quotes by Truman Capote.

Truman Capote (1924-1984) was an American writer and playwright best known for his non-fiction novel, "In Cold Blood," and his novella, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Capote showed an interest in writing from a young age and began his literary career as a journalist. His unique writing style and ability to capture the essence of his characters made him stand out within the literary world.

Capote gained significant recognition with his groundbreaking work, "In Cold Blood," published in 1966. This true crime novel depicted the brutal murders of a Kansas family, blurring the boundaries between fiction and journalism. The book became an instant bestseller and cemented Capote's position as a literary celebrity.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's," published in 1958, is another of Capote's most notable works, exploring themes of love, identity, and belonging through the eyes of the enigmatic Holly Golightly. This novella was later adapted into a successful film starring Audrey Hepburn.

Capote's writing was characterized by his keen observation, psychological insights, and vivid descriptive language. His ability to delve deep into the lives of his characters and depict their struggles and emotions with precision earned him critical acclaim.

Truman Capote's contribution to American literature, as well as his colorful personality and eccentric lifestyle, continue to intrigue readers and writers alike. Unfortunately, his later life was marred by personal struggles and substance abuse, leading to a decline in his productivity. Capote passed away in 1984 but remains an influential figure in American literature.

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's abo

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music that words make.

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

I'd rather have cancer than a dishonest heart. Which isn't b

I'd rather have cancer than a dishonest heart. Which isn't being pious. Just practical. Cancer may cool you, but the other's sure to.

Hot weather opens the skull of a city, exposing its white br

Hot weather opens the skull of a city, exposing its white brain, and its heart of nerves, which sizzle like the wires inside a lightbulb. And there exudes a sour extra-human smell that makes the very stone seem flesh-alive, webbed and pulsing.

Life Human City Alive Summer Description

He loved her, he loved her, and until he'd loved her she had

He loved her, he loved her, and until he'd loved her she had never minded being alone....

She was a triumph over ugliness, so often more beguiling tha

She was a triumph over ugliness, so often more beguiling than real beauty, if only because it contains paradox.

Beauty Paradox Ugliness

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.

The true beloveds of this world are in their lover's eyes li

The true beloveds of this world are in their lover's eyes lilacs opening, ship lights, school bells, a landscape, remembered conversations, friends, a child's Sunday, lost voices, one's favorite suit, autumn and all seasons, memory, yes, it being the earth and water of existence, memory.

Even an attorney of moderate talent can postpone doomsday ye

Even an attorney of moderate talent can postpone doomsday year after year, for the system of appeals that pervades American jurisprudence amounts to a legalistic wheel of fortune, a game of chance, somewhat fixed in the favor of the criminal, that the participants play interminably.

Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third ac

Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.

It was ideal apple-eating weather; the whitest sunlight desc

It was ideal apple-eating weather; the whitest sunlight descended from the purest sky, and an easterly wind rustled, without ripping loose, the last of the leaves on the Chinese elms. Autumns reward western Kansas for the evils at the remaining seasons impose: winter's rough Colorado winds and hip-high, sheep slaughtering snows; the slushes and the strange land fogs of spring; and summer, when even crows seek the puny shade, and the tawny infinitude of wheatstalks bristle, blaze.

I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil.

I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil.

Authors & Writing

People who are having a love-sex relationship are continuous

People who are having a love-sex relationship are continuously lying to each other because the very nature of the relationship demands that they do, because you have to make a love object of this person, which means that you editorialize about them. You cut out what you don't want to see, you add this if it isn't there. And so therefore you're building a lie.

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

Authors & Writing

A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why th

A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.

To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's abou

To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the music the words make.

Authors & Writing

Fame is only good for one thing - they will cash your check

Fame is only good for one thing - they will cash your check in a small town.

Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really ar

Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really are friendly with somebody. You can't have too many friends because then you're just not really friends.