“The concept of disease is fast replacing the concept of responsibility. With increasing zeal Americans use and interpret the assertion "I am sick" as equivalent to the assertion "I am not responsible": Smokers say they are not responsible for smoking, drinkers that they are not responsible for drinking, gamblers that they are not responsible for gambling, and mothers who murder their infants that they are not responsible for killing. To prove their point — and to capitalize on their self-destructive and destructive behavior — smokers, drinkers, gamblers, and insanity acquitees are suing tobacco companies, liquor companies, gambling casinos, and physicians.”
Thomas Szasz“The stupid neither forgive nor forget the naive forgive and forget the wise forgive but do not forget. ”
Thomas Szasz“Narcissist: psychoanalytic term for the person who loves himself more than his analyst considered to be the manifestation of a dire mental disease whose successful treatment depends on the patient learning to love the analyst more and himself less.”
Thomas Szasz“A teacher should have maximal authority, and minimal power.”
Thomas Szasz“No further evidence is needed to show that 'mental illness' is not the name of a biological condition whose nature awaits to be elucidated, but is the name of a concept whose purpose is to obscure the obvious.”
Thomas Szasz“Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic.”
Thomas Szasz“He who does not accept and respect those who want to reject life does not truly accept and respect life itself.”
Thomas Szasz“The proverb warns that "You should not bite that hand that feeds you." But maybe you should if it prevents you from feeding yourself.”
Thomas Szasz“The self is not something that one finds. It is something one creates.”
Thomas Szasz“If you talk to God you are praying if God talks to you you have schizophrenia.”
Thomas Szasz“If you talk to God you are praying if God talks to you you have schizophrenia.”
Thomas Szasz