John Waters quotes

John Waters is an American filmmaker, writer, and artist, widely known for his cult classic films and unique style. His works are celebrated for their camp, humor, and transgressive exploration of taboo subjects. He continues to influence independent cinema and pop culture through his uncompromising vision. Here are 48 of his quotes:

To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about. If someone vomits while watching one of my films, it's like getting a standing ovation. But one must remember that there is such a thing as good bad taste and bad bad taste. (John Waters)
How could you think of such awful things?" liberal critics always ask. "How else could I possibly amuse myself? View quote
John Waters
To understand bad taste one must have very good taste. View quote
John Waters
Going to a sensational murder trial is the only way I can relax. View quote
John Waters
Wouldn't you rather your kid be a drug dealer than a drug addict? View quote
John Waters
[I] pride myself on the fact that my work has no socially redeeming value. View quote
John Waters
Without Obsession, Life Is Nothing. View quote
John Waters
I would never want to film hard-core pornography, because it always looks like open-heart surgery to me. View quote
John Waters
I would never want to live anywhere but Baltimore... It's as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay. No one moves here. View quote
John Waters
Waters might, once upon a time, have been a candidate to be the American Buñuel, especially when he had the raw hatred of Divine under his command... View quote
John Waters
I'd never trust anyone who hadn't spent at least one night of his youth in the local jail. The more hell you raise as a teen-ager, the sweeter your memories will be. (John Waters)
It wasn't until I started reading and found books they wouldn't let us read in school that I discovered you could be insane and happy and have a good life without being like everybody else. View quote
John Waters
I could never kill myself. I approve of suicide if you have horrible health. Otherwise it's the ultimate hissy fit. View quote
John Waters
Catholics have more extreme sex lives because they're taught that pleasure is bad for you. Who thinks it's normal to kneel down to a naked man who's nailed to a cross? It's like a bad leather bar. View quote
John Waters
True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks. View quote
John Waters
My idea of an interesting person is someone who is quite proud of their seemingly abnormal life and turns their disadvantage into a career. View quote
John Waters
Sometimes I wish I was a woman, just so I could have an abortion. View quote
John Waters
I imagine Johnny Mathis hates Bin Laden as much as I do, but could Johnny agree Bin Laden had a better speechwriter than Bush? "Axis of Evil"? Come on. "A swimmer in the ocean does not fear the rain" is much more powerful propaganda. Poetic, even. View quote
John Waters
Cheer up. You never know - maybe something awful will happen tomorrow. View quote
John Waters
Parents should worry if their children haven't been arrested by the time they turn sixteen. Being a juvenile delinquent is a birthright and as much a part of healthy adolescence as smoking cigarettes or getting pimples. View quote
John Waters
Life is nothing without a good sense of humor. (John Waters)
To me, camp is two older queens talking about Rita Hayworth under a Tiffany's lampshade. View quote
John Waters
All people look better under arrest. View quote
John Waters
I stopped taking drugs when I realized that pot smelled bad and LSD trips were becoming like TV reruns. I had had enough inner journeys - I felt I knew myself well enough, thank you. View quote
John Waters
You have to remember that it is impossible to commit a crime while reading a book. View quote
John Waters

John Waters

John Waters - Image
Photo: PEN American Center, CC BY 2.0
Occupation: American Filmmaker
Born: April 22, 1946
Quotes count: 48
Wikipedia: John Waters

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