"Son," he said without preamble, "never trust a man who doesn't drink...

because he's probably a self-righteous sort, a man who thinks he knows right from wrong all the time. Some of them are good men, but in the name of goodness, they cause most of the suffering in the world. They're the judges, the meddlers. And, son, never trust a man who drinks but refuses to get drunk. They're usually afraid of something deep down inside, either that they're a coward or a fool or mean and violent. You can't trust a man who's afraid of himself. But sometimes, son, you can trust a man who occasionally kneels before a toilet. The chances are that he is learning something about humility and his natural human foolishness, about how to survive himself. It's damned hard for a man to take himself too seriously when he's heaving his guts into a dirty toilet bowl."

Having cared for people both in recovery and people who choose not to drink (I'm a definite minimalist myself), I guess I don't get it really. Alcohol isn't a part of everyone's life and that's okay. It seems to cause problems and cures none. It's really pretty much a distraction at times. :shrug:

edit: spelling

and you find enjoyment from it. Personally, I don't see the point of getting drunk or using as a refreshment. Just as I don't drink coffee.

... in the 1980 presidential campaign that what this country needed was a reformed drunk running it.... :P

I think the emphasis should be on "reformed," rather than "drunk." Bush hasn't reformed.

Edit for syntax.

I drink, but I don't get drunk. Not because I'm hiding anything (less than most), but because of what I've seen it do to family members.

What's that from, anyway?

I drink occasionally and I get drunk occasionally. There are worse things in the world.

i can count on 1 hand the number of times in my life i've had alcohol, the last on dec. 31, 1999... (i'm 26)

i've read this quote before, and my response has always been anyone who would believe such an ambiguous and flimsy axiom can't be trusted themselves...

Slightly buzzed on the odd occasion - I probably drink twice a month or so. I just never developed much of a taste for booze, and I HATE hangovers and all the cruddy sensations associated. I've heard this stupid logic before, and I think drinking has nothing to do with trustworthiness (but I'd be less likely to trust a full-on lush, as they tend to be irresponsible in general.)

Then he paused for a long minute and added, "And, son, never trust a drunk except when he's on his knees."

- James Crumley, The Wrong Case.

Damn you!

You beat me by a millisecond!

:toast: Good call!

It's not your fault, you ARE from Miss'sippi. Looweezeeyana, me.

"And, son, never trust a drunk except when he's on his knees"....