Portrait of Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson

Gonzo journalism, Fear and Loathing

Modern influential 117 sayings

Sayings by Hunter S. Thompson

I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid not to live.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I'm a writer, not a saint.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I'm a journalist, not a politician.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Political Unverifiable

I'm a firm believer in the idea that you can't be too careful.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Inspirational Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of organized religion, but I'm a fan of spirituality.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of rules, but I'm a fan of respect.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of conformity, but I'm a fan of individuality.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Wisdom Unverifiable

I'm not a fan of censorship, but I'm a fan of common sense.

Unknown — Attributed, but specific source is elusive.
Wisdom Unverifiable

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

1971 — From 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'
Wisdom Confirmed

I wouldn’t recommend sex, drugs, or insanity for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me.

1980s — Remark in an interview
Wisdom Confirmed

No, this is not a good voyage. The captain is a maniac and the crew is a gang of fools and the ship is leaking and the sea is getting rougher and rougher… and it's getting dark.

2000 — Interview with The Paris Review
General Unverifiable

The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.

1988 — The Gonzo Papers, Vol. 2: Generation of Swine
General Unverifiable

Walk tall, kick ass, learn to speak Arabic, love music and never forget that you come from a long line of truth seekers, lovers and warriors.

N/A — Letter to his grandson
General Unverifiable

We are all wired into a survival trip now. No more of the speed that kills, now it's the speed that saves. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

1971 — Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Religious Unverifiable

As far as I'm concerned, it's a damned shame that a field as potentially dynamic and vital as journalism should be so deathly dull.

1979 — The Great Shark Hunt
General Unverifiable

A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.

N/A — Attributed, often seen in various collections of his quotes
General Unverifiable

The only way to make a man feel good about himself is to tell him that he is better than someone else.

1973 — Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72
General Unverifiable

I have a theory that the human species is not ready for freedom.

N/A — Interview, exact source difficult to pinpoint
General Unverifiable

Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.

N/A — Attributed, often seen in various collections of his quotes
War & Violence Unverifiable

San Francisco is a city of freaks. But they're beautiful freaks.

1966 — Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga
General Unverifiable
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