Tom Robbins

Novelist, Essayist

Tom Robbins is an American author known for his playful and unconventional novels, such as 'Jitterbug Perfume', which explore themes of freedom and creativity.

Born
July 22, 1932
Quotes
519
Rank
#566

About Tom Robbins

Tom Robbins — Life and Legacy

Tom Robbins is a celebrated American author whose distinctive voice and unconventional storytelling have made a significant impact on contemporary literature. Known for works like 'Jitterbug Perfume' and 'Still Life with Woodpecker', Robbins explores themes of freedom, creativity, and the absurdity of life. His writing often reflects a deep philosophical inquiry into human nature, as seen in his quote, 'We are all just a figment of our own imagination', which emphasizes the power of perception and individual creativity. Robbins challenges readers to question societal norms and embrace the unpredictable aspects of existence. His unique blend of humor and insight creates a narrative style that resonates with those seeking deeper understanding. The relevance of his quotes lies in their ability to inspire reflection on personal freedom and the creative process, encouraging readers to view life through a lens of possibility and imagination.

Quote collection

Tom Robbins quotes (page 1 of 26)

519 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"When we're incomplete, we're always searching for somebody to complete us. When, after a few years or a few months of a relationship, we find that we're still unfulfilled, we blame our partners and take up with somebody more promising. This can go on and on - series polygamy - until we admit that while a partner can add sweet dimension to our lives, we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter."

Read quote 1.9K likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love."

Read quote 120 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."

Read quote 92 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"In the haunted house of life, art is the only stair that doesn't creak."

Read quote 79 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature."

Read quote 73 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"It is better to be small, colorful, sexy, careless, and peaceful."

Read quote 64 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"The unhappy person resents it when you try to cheer him up, because that means he has to stop dwelling on himself and start paying attention to the universe. Unhappiness is the ultimate form of self-indulgence. When you're unhappy, you get to pay a lot of attention to yourself. You get to take yourself oh so very seriously."

Read quote 62 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"We're our own dragons as well as our own heroes, and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves."

Read quote 59 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"The trickster's function is to break taboos, create mischief, stir things up. In the end, the trickster gives people what they really want, some sort of freedom."

Read quote 55 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"The beet is the most intense of vegetables. The radish, admittedly, is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent, not of passion. Tomatoes are lusty enough, yet there runs through tomatoes an undercurrent of frivolity. Beets are deadly serious."

Read quote 54 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"On their sofas of spice and feathers, the concubines also slept fretfully. In those days the Earth was still flat, and people dreamed often of falling over edges."

Read quote 52 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"there are two kinds of people in this world : those who believe there are two kinds of people in this world and those who are smart enough to know better."

Read quote 50 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"O tequila, savage water of sorcery, what confusion and mischief your sly, rebellious drops do generate"

Read quote 49 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"You should never hesitate to trade your cow for a handful of magic beans."

Read quote 49 likes
Tom Robbins Novelist, Essayist
Popular

"You risked your life, but what else have you ever risked? Have you risked disapproval? Have you ever risked economic security? Have you ever risked a belief? I see nothing particularly courageous about risking one's life. So you lose it, you go to your hero's heaven and everything is milk and honey 'til the end of time. Right? You get your reward and suffer no earthly consequences. That's not courage. Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts and suffer change and stretch consciousness. Real courage is risking one's clichés."

Read quote 43 likes