Rita Mae Brown Quotes

Powerful Rita Mae Brown for Daily Growth

About Rita Mae Brown

Rita Mita Brown (born September 28, 1944) is an American author, best known for her mystery novels featuring the character Mrs. Murphy, a clever cat. Born in Hanson, Kansas, Brown's early life was marked by frequent moves due to her father's work as a U.S. Air Force officer. This nomadic childhood instilled in her a love for animals and storytelling. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in television. She wrote scripts for shows like "The Doris Day Show" and "The Adam-12." However, it was her debut novel, "Rubyfruit Jungle" (1973), an autobiographical tale of a lesbian coming of age in the Deep South, that brought Brown widespread attention. In 1980, Brown published "Sister Mine," introducing her most famous creation, a wise and witty Irish Wolfhound named Murphy. The novel kicked off the popular Mrs. Murphy mystery series, which includes more than two dozen titles and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The books are known for their blend of humor, mystery, and spirituality, often centered around the supernatural abilities of animals, particularly cats and dogs. Brown's works often reflect her beliefs in animal rights and feminism, using her platform to advocate for both causes. She is also a prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community and has been open about her lesbian relationships throughout her life. Brown continues to write from her farm in Lexington, Virginia, where she lives with numerous animals, including several cats and dogs. Her most recent book, "Wish You Were Here," was published in 2021.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a matter of choices, and every choice matters."

This quote by Rita Mae Brown emphasizes the significance of choices in life. Each decision we make has consequences that shape our experiences, relationships, and overall destiny. It's a reminder that our power lies in recognizing the importance of each choice and making informed decisions accordingly. Our lives are essentially a collection of these choices, and their cumulative impact defines who we become and what we achieve.


"Dreaming without acting is more detrimental than not dreaming at all."

Rita Mae Brown's quote emphasizes the importance of turning dreams into actionable goals. Merely holding onto dreams without making any effort to achieve them can be counterproductive, as it may lead to frustration or stagnation. Instead, the quote encourages us to transform our aspirations into steps that we take towards their realization. It suggests that inaction on our dreams can have a negative impact, while having no dreams at all does not prevent one from making progress in life. Therefore, this quote is a call to action - to dream big, but also to work hard to make those dreams a reality.


"It takes no effort to disagree; it's very hard to find the arguments for agreement."

This quote highlights the ease with which individuals can express disagreement compared to finding common ground or agreement. It suggests that while it requires little thought or effort to criticize or argue against a view, thoroughly understanding and constructing solid arguments in favor of an agreement demands more time, empathy, and intellectual rigor. Essentially, Brown's quote underscores the challenges we face when trying to bridge differences and find agreement among opposing perspectives.


"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on opening it."

This quote by Rita Mae Brown suggests that being receptive to new ideas or perspectives can sometimes lead to others trying to impose their own beliefs upon you, rather than engaging in a genuine exchange of thoughts. It's a cautionary reminder about the potential for unwanted influence when one maintains an open mind, encouraging individuals to be discerning and thoughtful when considering other people's opinions.


"Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment in a new dress but that must be your genuine self."

This quote by Rita Mae Brown emphasizes the importance of authenticity and originality. The first part, "Insist on yourself," encourages individuals to embrace their unique identities and talents, rather than conforming to societal expectations or seeking validation through imitation. The second part, "Your own gift you can present every moment in a new dress but that must be your genuine self," suggests that everyone possesses a special talent or gift, which they should continually express and showcase in their own unique way. However, this expression of one's gift should always remain true to who they genuinely are as a person. In other words, the external presentation (the "dress") should always reflect the genuine individual inside. Ultimately, Brown is urging us to be ourselves, embrace our individuality, and share our unique talents with the world while remaining authentic to our true selves.


If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle.

- Rita Mae Brown

Men, World, Side, Saddle

Virginia Woolf said that writers must be androgynous. I'll go a step further. You must be bisexual.

- Rita Mae Brown

Go, Bisexual, Writers, None

Not until my middle thirties did I consider myself a novelist.

- Rita Mae Brown

Myself, Middle, Until, Novelist

No animal on the face of the earth could conceive of taxation. You and I work roughly six months a year to pay our local, state and federal taxes. If nothing else, this should convince you that animals are smarter than people.

- Rita Mae Brown

Year, Taxes, Conceive, Smarter

I became a lesbian because of women, because women are beautiful, strong, and compassionate.

- Rita Mae Brown

Beautiful, Strong, Became, Women Are

While cats can be infuriating, little old women in fur coats, they make me laugh. Of course, dogs, horses and my highly social chickens are dear to me, too.

- Rita Mae Brown

Old, Fur, Social, Make Me Laugh

Women who love women are Lesbians. Men, because they can only think of women in sexual terms, define Lesbian as sex between women.

- Rita Mae Brown

Love, Think, Lesbians, Lesbian

All creatures tread across the rubble of ruined civilizations. The trick is to keep moving. No animal ever goes about dispensing shallow compassion.

- Rita Mae Brown

Goes, Creatures, About, Ruined

I earned two Emmy nominations for writing, and two of the shows I had written were nominated for best in their category.

- Rita Mae Brown

Best, Two, Had, Category

Don't ask to live in tranquil times. Literature doesn't grow there.

- Rita Mae Brown

Grow, Literature, Times, Tranquil

If you don't like my book, write your own. If you don't think you can write a novel, that ought to tell you something. If you think you can, do. No excuses. If you still don't like my novels, find a book you do like.

- Rita Mae Brown

Think, Like, Still, Novels

If you like my novels, I commend your good taste.

- Rita Mae Brown

Taste, Good Taste, Like, Novels

Hollywood called just as I crested thirty. My novels did not and still do not interest them, but my writing ability did.

- Rita Mae Brown

Hollywood, Still, Them, Novels

A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all.

- Rita Mae Brown

Negative, Better, Still, Deadline

There hasn't been a day in my life since I started Latin in ninth grade that I haven't benefited by the lives of the ancients.

- Rita Mae Brown

My Life, Been, Lives, Ninth

I believe in a lively disrespect for most forms of authority.

- Rita Mae Brown

Authority, Lively, Most, Forms

The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you but yourself.

- Rita Mae Brown

Yourself, Reward, Everyone, Conformity

We animals live life in all its glorious uncertainty. Why do politicians think they can control events?

- Rita Mae Brown

Think, Why, Glorious, Live Life

Intuition is a suspension of logic due to impatience.

- Rita Mae Brown

Logic, Intuition, Due, Impatience

As a woman, I find it very embarrassing to be in a meeting and realize I'm the only one in the room with balls.

- Rita Mae Brown

Woman, Find, Very, Embarrassing

Cats and dogs believe politicians are like cemetery caregivers; they are on top of everyone, but nobody listens.

- Rita Mae Brown

Cats, Top, Listens, Cemetery

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.

- Rita Mae Brown

Suffering, Some, Sanity, Illness

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.

- Rita Mae Brown

Trust, Never, More, Instincts

I have no idea what will come next in my writing life or life in general. I like not knowing, but I know what I want. That doesn't mean it will happen, but I'll give it my best try.

- Rita Mae Brown

Give, Next, Happen, Not Knowing

I am a comic writer, which means I get to slay the dragons, and shoot the bull.

- Rita Mae Brown

I Am, Which, Means, Dragons

Divorce is the one human tragedy that reduces everything to cash.

- Rita Mae Brown

Divorce, Tragedy, Everything, Cash

Education is a wonderful thing. If you couldn't sign your name you'd have to pay cash.

- Rita Mae Brown

Education, Wonderful Thing, Cash

You can't be truly rude until you understand good manners.

- Rita Mae Brown

Rude, Good Manners, Until, Manners

Political elections are not life and death.

- Rita Mae Brown

Death, Political, Elections, Life And Death

I believe you are your work. Don't trade the stuff of your life, time, for nothing more than dollars. That's a rotten bargain.

- Rita Mae Brown

Work, Nothing, More, Rotten

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