Joseph Heller Quotes & Sayings

“Destiny is a good thing to accept when it's going your way. When it isn't, don't call it destiny; call it injustice, treachery, or simple bad luck.”

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

“Rise above principle and do what's right.”

“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22. 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.”

“When I read something saying I've not done anything as good as 'Catch-22' I'm tempted to reply, 'Who has?'”

“He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt.”

“We do have a zeal for laughter in most situations, give or take a dentist.”

“He was a self-made man who owed his lack of success to nobody.”

“Peace on earth would mean the end of civilization as we know it.”

“Frankly, I'd like to see the government get out of war altogether and leave the whole field to private industry.”