I'm heading for a clean-named placelike Wisconsin, and mad as a jack-o'-lantern, will get therewithout help and nosy proclivities.

~ John Ashbery

John Ashbery Assistance Independence Nosiness Poem Poetry Travel Wisconsin

I have a tendency to want to understand everything people say and everything I hear, both at work and outside, even at a distance, even if it’s one of the innumerable languages I don’t know, even if it’s in an indistinguishable murmur or imperceptible whisper, even if it would be better that I didn’t understand and what’s said is not intended for my ears or is said precisely so I won’t understand it.

~ Javier Marías

Javier Marías Controlling Curiosity Learning Nosiness

Unhappy people often insist on trying to uncover the full magnitude of their unhappiness, or choose to investigate other people's lives as a distraction from their own.

~ Javier Marías

Javier Marías Boredom Nosiness Unhappiness