Anne Lamott Quotes

We can’t understand when we’re pregnant, or when our siblings are expecting, how profound it is to have a shared history with a younger generation: blood, genes, humor. It means we were actually here, on Earth, for a time – like the Egyptians with their pyramids, only with children.

Most marriages are a mess, and the children get caught between two bitter, antagonistic parents. My parents stayed married for 27 unhappy years, till their kids were grown, and this was a catastrophe for us.

I was raised by my parents to believe that you had a moral obligation to try and help save the world.

The worst part about celebrating another birthday is the shock that you’re only as well as you are.

I used to tell my writing students that they must write the books they wished they could come upon – because then the books they hungered and thirsted for would exist.

I’ve heard that our greatest cross to carry is ourselves – how gravely we fall short.

When I was a kid, our family used to watch ‘Bonanza.’ I really liked having a Sunday night TV ritual.

You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves in your heart–your stories, visions, memories, songs: your truth, your version of things, in your voice. That is really all you have to offer us, and it’s why you were born.

I went to church with my grandparents sometimes and I loved it.

I think Jesus is divine love manifest on Earth, as it comes through the community of Christians.

Mothers are supposed to listen and, afterward, to respond with some wisdom and perspective, but these things were not my mother’s strong suit.

I like the desert for short periods of time, from inside a car, with the windows rolled up, and the doors locked. I prefer beach resorts with room service.

Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.

Your experiences will be yours alone. But truth and best friendship will rarely if ever disappoint you.

A whole lot of us believers, of all different religions, are ready to turn back the tide of madness by walking together, in both the dark and the light – in other words, through life – registering voters as we go, and keeping the faith.

I am skittish about relationships, as most of the marriages I’ve seen up close have been ruinous for one or both parties.

Dogs are the closest we come to knowing the divine love of God on this side of eternity.