I could not, I saw, be a Communist because I was not "made that way." Hence, to be a Communist was to possess a sort of privilege. And this privilege… - Mary McCarthy

" "

I could not, I saw, be a Communist because I was not "made that way." Hence, to be a Communist was to possess a sort of privilege. And this privilege, like all privileges, appeared to be a source of power. Any form of idiocy or aberration can confer this distinction on its owner, at least in our age, which aspires to a "total" experience.

English
Collect this quote

About Mary McCarthy

Mary Therese McCarthy (21 June 1912 – 25 October 1989) was an American author and critic.

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Mary Therese McCarthy
All quotes from Mary McCarthy Similar Quotes by other Originators

Try QuoteGPT

Chat naturally about what you need. Each answer links back to real quotes with citations.

Additional quotes by Mary McCarthy

When we pass from "I ought to do this" to "You think I ought to do this," it seems to us at first that we have weakened the imperative; actually, by externalizing it, we have made it unanswerable, for it is only ourselves that we can come to terms with.
Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from
Find Similar
It was getting rather alarming. I realised one day that in twenty four hours I had slept with three different men. And one morning I was in bed with somebody while over his head I talked on the telephone with somebody else…I did not feel promiscuous. Maybe no-one does. And maybe more girls sleep with more men than you would ever think to look at them.
Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from
Find Similar