Painterly brass cartridge case standing in an open white pill bottle on marble, with its cap beside it.

Original artwork, not a still

Hunter S. Thompson

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker claims to dislike recommending drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity, then undercuts the disclaimer by saying they have always worked for them. The joke is a mock-reluctant confession, framed as personal experience and delivered with a provocative, self-mocking shrug rather than as sober advice.

Context reviewed

Share this quote