Raymond Thornton Chandler was born on July 23, 1888, in Chicago, Illinois. A masterful American-British novelist and screenwriter, he is celebrated for revolutionizing crime fiction with his hard-boiled detective stories, particularly those featuring Philip Marlowe. Career highlights include iconic novels like “The Big Sleep” (1939) and “The Long Goodbye” (1953), as well as screenplays for films such as “Double Indemnity” (1944). Chandler’s sharp wit and social commentary earned him lasting influence, including an Edgar Award for lifetime achievement. His quotes about life are drawn from books, essays, interviews, and personal letters, offering candid reflections on human nature and society. In this list, discover 15 of his insightful quotes that explore life’s complexities.
15 Raymond Chandler Quotes Quotes
1. “Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.” (Essay, “The Simple Art of Murder,” 1950)
2. “The French have a phrase for it. The bastards have a phrase for everything and they are always right. To say goodbye is to die a little.” (Letter to Charles Morton, 1950)
3. “A man of 40 or 50 knows what he wants, and he doesn’t find out until he is 60 or 70 that he wants something else.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1958)
4. “Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside an advertising agency.” (Letter to Erle Stanley Gardner, 1948)
5. “The more you reason the less you create.” (Essay, “The Simple Art of Murder,” 1950)
6. “Throw up enough concrete and you can make a city, but you can’t make a civilization.” (Novel, “The Little Sister,” 1949)
7. “Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third is routine. After that you take the girl’s clothes off.” (Essay, “Writers in Hollywood,” 1945)
8. “I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on principle, so he won’t let himself get snotty about it.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1958)
9. “The character that lasts is an ordinary guy who manages to win or lose without any flair at all.” (Essay, “The Simple Art of Murder,” 1950)
10. “In everything that can be called art there is a quality of redemption.” (Essay, “The Simple Art of Murder,” 1950)
11. “Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes with a lot of people, when he gets down to it, the thing to write about is what makes him an outcast.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1958)
12. “The creative artist stands in much the same relation to society as the criminal.” (Essay, “The Simple Art of Murder,” 1950)
13. “Life is too short to do anything for oneself that one can pay others to do for one.” (Letter to a friend, 1946)
14. “A good detective story is a kind of intellectual puzzle, but it’s also a story about human nature.” (Interview, The Atlantic Monthly, 1946)
15. “The accumulated hate of a thousand years was in his voice.” (Novel, “Farewell, My Lovely,” 1940)
These quotes from Raymond Chandler reveal a man who viewed life with a blend of cynicism, humor, and profound insight, drawing from his experiences in a world of moral ambiguity and human flaws. They highlight his reflections on integrity, the passage of time, and the quiet struggles of everyday existence, showcasing a writer who captured the essence of human resilience and folly. What do you think of these timeless words? Share your favorite quote or thoughts in the comments below.