Clare Boothe Luce

thumb|A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self — in the mirror of some woman's eyes Clare Boothe Luce (April 10, 1903 – October 9, 1987) was an American playwright, journalist, editor, ambassador and political figure. Quotes I have resolved to grow old, naturally and gracefully, content in the knowledge that the greatest intellects are the homeliest ones, and that the height of sophistication is simplicity. Stuffed Shirts, ch. 17 (1931) You see few people here in America who really care very much about living a Christian life in a democratic world. Europe in the Spring, ch. 12 (1940) Communism is the opiate of the intellectuals [with] no cure except as a guillotine might be called a cure for dandruff. Newsweek (Jan. 24, 1955) No good deed goes unpunished. Roman Candle (Leticia Baldridge), p. 129 (1956)This famous quip was first quoted in print by Luce's social secretary Letitia Baldrige in Roman Candle (Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1956), 129: "When I would entreat her to engage in resolving a specific case, she replied, 'No good deed goes unpunished, Tish, remember that.'" Oscar Wilde, Billy Wilder, and Andrew Mellon have also been cited as sources, but without written evidence. There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them. Europe in the Spring (1940), p. 271See . If her story can be taken at face value, she was actually relating the remark of a French diplomat that sat next to her at airport in London (see pages 269-270). The diplomat explained that he had been a captain in the trenches at the Battle of Verdun during WWI and ended up surviving instead of dying or surrendering: "'Since that day,' the little grey-haired diplomat said, 'I have had my motto: Il n'y a pas de situations désespérées, il y a seulement des hommes désespérés (There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them).'" The Women (1936) A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self — in the mirror of some woman's eyes. Mrs. Morehead, act I You know, that's the only good thing about divorce; you get to sleep with your mother. Little Mary, act III Always remember, Peggy, it's matrimonial suicide to be jealous when you have a really good reason. Edith, act III References External links Women Come on Front (Library of Congress Exhibition) Creighton University Women in History: Clare Boothe Luce Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute Category:Women authors from the United States Category:Women politicians in the United States Category:United States Ambassadors to Italy Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians Category:Anti-communists from the United States Category:Anti-fascists Category:Playwrights from the United States Category:Journalists from New York City Category:Aphorists Category:Editors from the United States Category:Catholics from the United States Category:1903 births Category:1987 deaths Category:Politicians from New York City Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Category:Women diplomats