Budd Schulberg

“Silence is the sure sign that you're on your way out in Hollywood.”

“Hey, you want to hear my philosophy of life? Do it to him before he does it to you.”

“Very few fighters get the consideration of racehorses, which are put out to pasture to grow old with dignity and comfort when they haven't got it anymore.”

“I could have had class. I could have been a contender.”

“You either go along with the system - conform to what is expected to be a hit - or you have very tough going.”

“Conscience. That stuff can drive you nuts.”

“Isn't everyone a part of everyone else?”

“Fights can be dumped in a dozen ways. Sometimes everybody but the fighter knows. Sometimes only the fighter knows.”

“The principal furniture in Billie's mind was a good-sized bed.”

“Living with a conscience is like driving with the brakes on.”

“I coulda' had class. I coulda' been a contender! But instead I got a one way ticket to Palookaville.”

“As much as I love boxing, I hate it. And as much as I hate it, I love it.”

“You can't eat your friends and have them too.”