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Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

The wisdom of Vonnegut & Heller

July 31, 2011

Joe Heller

True story, Word of Honor:
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer
now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire
on Shelter island.
I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel ‘Cach-22’
has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!

— Kurt Vonnegut

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