F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

Modern influential 125 sayings

Sayings by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Life is essentially a cheat and a disappointment.

1938 — Letter to his daughter, Scottie Fitzgerald
Controversial Unverifiable

I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of.

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; possibly from a letter or interview.
Controversial Unverifiable

I talk a lot, I think a lot, and I don't do much.

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; possibly a self-deprecating remark.
Controversial Unverifiable

I want to be able to look back and say, 'I did my best to live the life I imagined.'

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; often cited as Fitzgerald's sentiment.
Controversial Unverifiable

I fell in love with her, and she broke my heart.

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; possibly a personal reflection or letter.
Controversial Unverifiable

I write best when I'm drunk, and I write worst when I'm sober.

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; often cited as a self-confessed habit.
Controversial Unverifiable

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.

1929 — A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (often misattributed to Fitzgerald, but it is Hemingway's lin…
Controversial Unverifiable

I had a happy childhood, but it was a long time ago.

Uncertain — Attributed, possibly from a letter or conversation, reflecting on his past.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a romantic. I'm a fool. I'm a dreamer.

Uncertain — Attributed, possibly from a letter or personal reflection.
Controversial Unverifiable

I often think that women are the only sex that can really love. We men are too self-centered.

Uncertain — Attributed, but exact source is elusive; likely a personal opinion expressed in a letter or conversa…
Controversial Unverifiable

Living in a small town is like living in a fishbowl.

Uncertain — Attributed, possibly from a letter or early story, reflecting on his St. Paul upbringing.
Controversial Unverifiable

I am not a great man, but I have a great ambition.

Uncertain — Attributed, likely from his early years, expressing his aspirations.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a very good person. I'm not a very good writer. I'm not a very good husband. I'm not a very good father.

Uncertain — Attributed, likely a self-deprecating and melancholic reflection in a letter or diary.
Controversial Unverifiable

I wish I could live my life over again, but I wouldn't do anything different. I'd just do it better.

Uncertain — Attributed, possibly a reflective statement in later life.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a failure. I'm a washout. I'm a has-been.

c. 1930s — Attributed, reflecting his self-perception during his 'crack-up' period.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not interested in happy endings. I'm interested in true endings.

Uncertain — Attributed, reflecting his literary philosophy.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a pessimist by nature, but an optimist by choice.

Uncertain — Attributed, likely a personal reflection on his outlook.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of happy people. I'm a fan of real people.

Uncertain — Attributed, reflecting his preference for authenticity over superficial happiness.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of success. I'm a fan of struggle.

Uncertain — Attributed, reflecting his belief in the value of hardship for character and art.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of love. I'm a fan of passion.

Uncertain — Attributed, suggesting a distinction between enduring love and intense, fleeting passion.
Controversial Unverifiable