Mason Cooley Quotes

Powerful Mason Cooley for Daily Growth

About Mason Cooley

Mason Cooley (1927-2002) was an American writer, poet, and philosopher known for his insightful aphorisms that offer witty, thought-provoking reflections on life, humanity, and the universe. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cooley grew up in a family of nine children, which instilled in him a keen awareness of the complexities of human relationships. Cooley's early years were marked by poverty and hardship; his father abandoned the family when Cooley was ten years old. Despite these challenges, he graduated from high school at the age of 15 and went on to study philosophy at the University of Iowa, where he was influenced by renowned philosophers such as Wittgenstein and Heidegger. In 1968, Cooley published his first book of aphorisms, "The Art of Reading: A Book of Quotations for the Modern Man," which quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of humor, wisdom, and philosophical insight. This was followed by several other collections of aphorisms, including "Mason Cooley's Dictionary: A New Universal Language" (1970), "The Dictionary of Life: Being a Compendium of Wit, Wisdom, and Eloquence" (1972), and "The Leaves of Time: A Book of Reflections" (1975). Cooley's work is characterized by his ability to distill complex ideas into simple, profound statements that resonate with readers. His aphorisms often tackle themes such as love, death, time, and the human condition, making them accessible to a wide audience. Despite his success as an author, Cooley remained humble and dedicated to his craft until his passing in 2002. His work continues to inspire and provoke thought among readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."

This quote emphasizes the importance of flexibility and openness in our journeys, whether they are literal travels or metaphorical ones through life. It suggests that a 'good traveler' (a person growing, learning, and exploring) doesn't cling to preconceived notions or rigid plans, but instead is receptive to new experiences and is more focused on the process of growth and discovery rather than simply reaching an end goal. This quote encourages us to be adaptable, curious, and open-minded as we navigate our lives, embracing serendipity and the unexpected along the way.


"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."

The quote implies that instead of passively waiting for opportunities to present themselves, a wise person proactively creates or makes their own opportunities. This mindset encourages individuals to be self-reliant, resourceful, and innovative in finding solutions and paths forward, rather than relying solely on circumstances or the actions of others. It suggests that one can shape their destiny by consciously creating and seizing opportunities.


"A real library is a collection of books, an imaginary library is a life."

This quote by Mason Cooley emphasizes that knowledge and personal growth are not just about possessing physical books, but also about the ideas, perspectives, and wisdom that those books offer – essentially, they're what shapes our lives. A real library is a tangible collection of books, while an imaginary library is symbolic of the life experiences we gather through reading and learning. In essence, Cooley suggests that our personal growth, our 'imaginary library,' comes from immersing ourselves in a diverse range of ideas and stories.


"An expert is like the bottom of a double decker bus. Everything you see, they saw five minutes earlier."

This quote suggests that experts, being at the "bottom" or base level of their field, have already experienced or observed all the current knowledge available to them. They are aware of what is happening in their field a few steps ahead due to their extensive understanding and experience. It implies that an expert's perspective or insights are based on knowledge they have acquired previously, which allows them to foresee or understand developments more swiftly than others. In essence, the quote suggests that experts benefit from hindsight when making predictions about the future of their field.


"It's easier to apologize than to ask for permission."

This quote highlights a common human tendency to take actions without seeking approval, often because it's perceived as simpler or less uncomfortable than asking for permission. However, it also suggests that making amends after an action is taken may be easier than convincing someone to agree beforehand. It's a commentary on human behavior, particularly in situations where individuals prioritize immediate action over seeking approval or considering potential negative consequences.


Even cats grow lonely and anxious.

- Mason Cooley

Pet, Grow, Anxious, Cats

Cats are inquisitive, but hate to admit it.

- Mason Cooley

Pet, Hate, Admit, Cats

After an argument, silence may mean acceptance or the continuation of resistance by other means.

- Mason Cooley

Other, May, Means, Argument

The man of sensibility is too busy talking about his feelings to have time for good deeds.

- Mason Cooley

Deeds, His, Too, Sensibility

The sage belongs to the same obsolete repertory as the virtuous maiden and the enlightened monarch.

- Mason Cooley

Same, Maiden, Belongs, Obsolete

While we are reading, we are all Don Quixote.

- Mason Cooley

Reading, Don Quixote, While, Quixote

Worried about being a dull fellow? You might develop your talent for being irritating.

- Mason Cooley

Talent, Might, Fellow, Irritating

Preserving tradition has become a nice hobby, like stamp collecting.

- Mason Cooley

Tradition, Like, Stamp, Hobby

Unlike the actual, the fictional explains itself.

- Mason Cooley

Actual, Itself, Unlike, Fictional

Human society sustains itself by transforming nature into garbage.

- Mason Cooley

Nature, Society, Itself, Human Society

When a man bores a woman, she complains. When a woman bores a man, he ignores her.

- Mason Cooley

Woman, She, Ignores, Complains

Art begins in imitation and ends in innovation.

- Mason Cooley

Art, Innovation, Begins, Imitation

Reason enables us to get around in the world of ideas, but cannot prescribe our thoughts.

- Mason Cooley

Thoughts, World, Reason, Prescribe

Lust and greed are more gullible than innocence.

- Mason Cooley

Innocence, More, Gullible, Lust

Love begins with an image; lust with a sensation.

- Mason Cooley

Love, Begins, Image, Lust

Fail, and your friends feel superior. Succeed, and they feel resentful.

- Mason Cooley

Succeed, Fail, Superior, Resentful

Psychology keeps trying to vindicate human nature. History keeps undermining the effort.

- Mason Cooley

Psychology, Undermining, Vindicate

An omnipotent God is the only being with no reason to lie.

- Mason Cooley

Lie, Reason, Only, Omnipotent

In psychoanalysis, only the fee is exactly what it seems to be.

- Mason Cooley

Only, Fee, Exactly, Psychoanalysis

Young poets bewail the passing of love; old poets, the passing of time. There is surprisingly little difference.

- Mason Cooley

Love, Young, Old, Surprisingly

Cynicism is full of naive disappointments.

- Mason Cooley

Cynicism, Disappointments, Naive

Innocence is thought charming because it offers delightful possibilities for exploitation.

- Mason Cooley

Possibilities, Offers, Exploitation

I know that I am what I am. But I am not sure what I am.

- Mason Cooley

I Am, Know, Sure, I Am What I Am

The beginning of self-knowledge: recognizing that your motives are the same as other people's.

- Mason Cooley

Beginning, Other, Same, Self-Knowledge

Young men preen. Old men scheme.

- Mason Cooley

Young, Old Men, Scheme, Young Men

Minds will wander even during the Last Judgment.

- Mason Cooley

Minds, Judgment, Last, Wander

Most reputations are not ruined but forgotten.

- Mason Cooley

Forgotten, Most, Reputations, Ruined

A great reader seldom recognizes his solitude.

- Mason Cooley

Seldom, His, Reader, Solitude

People who abhor solitude may abhor company almost as much.

- Mason Cooley

Company, May, Almost, Solitude

My passions have never jumped out of the fireplace and set fire to the carpet.

- Mason Cooley

Never, Carpet, Set, Fireplace

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