I guess every generation is doomed to fight its war, . . . suffer the loss of the same old illusions, and learn the same old lessons on its own.

—Philip Caputo

war ignorance learning youth loss illusion

About Philip Caputo

Portrait of Philip Caputo

Philip Joseph Caputo (June 10, 1941 – May 7, 2026) was an American author and journalist. He was best known for A Rumor of War (1977), a best-selling memoir of his experiences during the Vietnam War. Caputo wrote 19 books, including three memoirs, five books of general nonfiction, nine novels,...

More quotations tagged with “illusion”

Despair is the only cure for illusion. Without despair we cannot transfer our allegiance to reality — it is a kind of mourning period for our fantasies. Some people do not survive this despair, but no major change within a person can occur without it.

—Philip Slater

reality despair illusion fantasy

I know you'll leave. I don't have any grand illusions.

—Abbi Glines in Until The End

relationships illusion commitment

Channeling is just bad ventriloquism. You use another voice, but people can see your lips moving.

—Penn Jillette

illusion psychics

We build statues out of snow, and weep to see them melt.

—Walter Scott

permanence sadness illusion

Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.

—David Sedaris

writing control psychology illusion