At times, he admitted, he had been very happy in the apple business. He knew what Larch would have told him: that his happiness was not the point, or that it wasn't as important as his usefulness.

— John Irving

Because who can describe the look that triggers the memory of loved ones? Who can anticipate the frown, the smile, or the misplaced lock of hair that sends a swift, undeniable signal from the past? Who can ever estimate the power of association, which is always strongest in moments of love and in memories of death?

— John Irving

But good friends are nothing to each other if they are not supportive.

— John Irving

Crazy people made him crazy. It was as if he personally resented them giving into madness - in part, because he so frequently labored to behave sanely. When some people gave up the labor of sanity, or failed at it, Gap suspected them of not trying hard enough.

— John Irving

Don't forget this, too: Rumors aren't interested in the unsensational story; rumors don't care what's true.

— John Irving

Ever since the Christmas of '53, I have felt that the yuletide is a special hell for those families who have suffered any loss or who must admit to any imperfection; the so-called spirit of giving can be as greedy as receiving--Christmas is our time to be aware of what we lack, of who's not home.

— John Irving

Everyone has a right to be a little happy, asshole.

— John Irving

Gap didn't want a daughter because of men. Because of bad men, certainly; but even, he thought, because of men like me.

— John Irving

Gender mattered a lot less to Shakespeare than it seems to matter to us.

— John Irving

Good habits are worth being fanatical about.

— John Irving