A good column is one that sells paper. It doesn't matter how beautifully it is written and how much you admire the author... if it doesn't sell any papers, it's not a good column. It's a terrible yardstick to use, but in the newspaper business, that's the whole thing. Herb Caen admireauthorbeautifully share on social
Satire of satire tends to be self-canceling, and deliberate shock tactics soon lose their ability to shock, especially when they're too deliberate. Herb Caen abilitycancelingdeliberate Change image and share on social
A city is a crazy concrete jungle whose people at the end of each day somehow make a small step ahead against terrible odds. Herb Caen aheadcityconcrete Change image and share on social
San Franciscans have a bond of self-satisfaction bordering on smugness. Herb Caen bondborderfranciscan Change image and share on social
The only way to fight a thing like 50 is to stay au courant if it kills you. Herb Caen courantfightkill Change image and share on social
I hope I go to Heaven, and when I do, I'm going to do what every San Franciscan does when he gets there. He looks around and says, 'It ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco.' Herb Caen badfranciscanfrancisco Change image and share on social
The trouble with born-again Christians is that they are an even bigger pain the second time around. Herb Caen bearbigchristian Change image and share on social
Old San Francisco - the one so many nostalgics yearn for - had buildings that related well to each other. Herb Caen buildingfrancisconostalgics Change image and share on social
I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there. Herb Caen lifelivepast Change image and share on social