Crude thoughts and fierce forces are my state. I do not know who I am. Nor what I was. I cannot hear a sound. Pain is near that will be like no pain felt before.
Norman MailerRead
At bottom, I mean profoundly at bottom, the FBI has nothing to do with Communism, it has nothing to do with catching criminals, it has nothing to do with the Mafia, the syndicate, it has nothing to do with trust-busting, it has nothing to do with interstate commerce, it has nothing to do with anything but serving as a church for the mediocre. A high church for the true mediocre.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes the FBI, suggesting it primarily serves to uphold mediocrity rather than fulfill its stated purposes.
In this quote, Norman Mailer denotes the FBI as an institution that, rather than fulfilling its intended roles such as combating crime or supporting democratic principles, has devolved into a sanctuary for mediocrity. By comparing the FBI to a 'church for the mediocre,' Mailer implies that it has become a place where mediocrity is celebrated and perpetuated, detracting from its responsibility to pursue justice and uphold the law.
Themes
FbiMediocrityInstitutionCritiqueNorman Mailer
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the effectiveness of government agencies.
More from Norman Mailer
All quotes →I no longer gave a sick dog's drop for the wisdom, the reliability and the authority of the public's literary mind, those creeps and old ladies of vested reviewing.
Norman MailerRead
There's nothing glorious about being a professional. . . . Professionalism probably comes down to being able to work on a bad day.
Norman MailerRead
The natural role of twentieth-century man is anxiety.
Norman MailerRead
Over-certified adjectives are the mark of most best-seller writing
Norman MailerRead
Alimony is the curse of the writing class.
Norman MailerRead
Similar quotes
A man's reputation is not in his own keeping, but lies at the mercy of the profligacy of others. Calumny requires no proof. The throwing out [of] malicious imputations against any character leaves a stain, which no after-refutation can wipe out. To create an unfavorable impression, it is not necessary that certain things should be true, but that they have been said. The imagination is of so delicate a texture that even words wound it.
William HazlittRead
The future will present insurmountable problems- only when we consider them insurmountable.
Thomas S. MonsonRead
Now I'm living out my life in a corner, trying to console myself with the stupid, useless excuse that an intelligent man cannot turn himself into anything, that only a fool can make anything he wants out of himself.
Fyodor DostoevskyRead
Anyone who hasn't experienced the ecstasy of betrayal knows nothing about ecstasy at all.
Jean GenetRead
Creating without claiming, Doing without taking credit, Guiding without interfering, This is Primal Virtue.
LaoziRead
Burnin' churches, fearin' God, Who can be so cruel, We all ignorant to AIDS, Till it happens to you.
Tupac ShakurRead