Charles Portis
Charles Portis
Charles McColl Portisis an American author best known for his novels Norwoodand the classic Western novel True Grit, both adapted as films. The latter also inspired a film sequel and a made-for-TV movie sequel. A newer film adaptation of True Grit was released in 2010...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth28 December 1933
CountryUnited States of America
pay wells
Nothing I like to do pays well.
backing-up backwards
I always go backwards when I am backing up.
wicked grit true-grit
The wicked flee when none pursueth.
habit bad-habits
Lookin' back is a bad habit.
coffee men mustache
As he drank, little brown drops of coffee clung to his mustache like dew. Men will live like billy goats if they are let alone.
horse father believe
I had hated these ponies for the part they played in my father's death but now I realized the notion was fanciful, that it was wrong to charge blame to these pretty beasts who knew neither good nor evil but only innocence. I say that of these ponies. I have known some horses and a good many more pigs who I believe harbored evil intent in their hearts. I will go further and say all cats are wicked, though often useful. Who has not seen Satan in their sly faces? Some preachers will say, well, that is superstitious "claptrap." My answer is this: Preacher, go to your Bible and read Luke 8: 26-33
men swings medicine
On his deathbed he asked for a priest and became a Catholic. That was his wife's religion. It was his own business and none of mine. If you had sentenced one hundred and sixty men to death and seen around eighty of them swing, then maybe at the last minute you would feel the need for some stronger medicine than the Methodists could make.
people substance faces
I know what they said even if they would not say it to my face. People love to talk. They love to slander you if you have any substance.
art mean monkeys
My Master of Arts degree means nothing at all to these monkeys and I have come to share their indifference.
grace world grit
You must pay for everything in this world one way and another. There is nothing free except the Grace of God. You cannot earn that or deserve it.
grit true-grit get-away
Time just gets away from us.
night play records
Listen, here's what I'd like to do: I'd like to live in a trailer and play records all night.
brain grit mouths
I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.
wall home garden
Mexican homes as a rule are closed off to the world by high blank walls of yellowish masonry, topped with broken glass to discourage escaladores, or climbing burglars. The gardens and fountains and other delights are hidden, as in an Arab city.