Mason Cooley

Mason Cooley (1927–2002) was an American aphorist and writer. He taught English for many years at the College of Staten Island, part of the City University of New York. Cooley became best known for his sharply observed, often wry aphorisms, published in collections including *The Aphorisms of Mason Cooley* and *City Aphorisms*. His work distills everyday experience into brief, memorable statements that blend humor with philosophical reflection. Though he wrote in a compact form, his subjects ranged widely, touching on art, love, ambition, self-knowledge, and the contradictions of modern life. Cooley’s reputation rests on the precision and resonance of his short, quotable lines.