Allen Ginsberg

Howl, Beat poet

Modern influential 268 sayings

Sayings by Allen Ginsberg

I'm a great believer in the idea that if you don't have something to say, you shouldn't say it.

1980s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

The only good thing about America is that you can say anything you want.

1970s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

To be a poet is a condition, not a profession.

1960s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I want to be a poet, not a rich man.

1940s — Early writings/letters
Controversial Unverifiable

The only way to be truly free is to be totally naked.

Unknown — Attributed, often linked to his philosophy of openness.
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a guru. I'm a poet. I'm a human being.

1980s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

The earth is a living organism. We are part of it. We are not separate from it.

1970s — Speech/Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not afraid of death. I'm afraid of not living.

Unknown — Attributed
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a romantic. I'm a sentimentalist. I'm a humanist. I'm all of those things.

1990s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a political poet. I'm a human poet.

1970s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

The best way to protest is to create something beautiful.

Unknown — Attributed
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a pacifist, but I'm not a passive pacifist.

1960s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

The only revolution is the spiritual revolution.

1970s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm not a beatnik. I'm a poet.

1950s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.

Unknown — Attributed
Controversial Unverifiable

Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!

1955 — Howl
Controversial Unverifiable

What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination?

1955 — Howl
Controversial Unverifiable

who lit up their cigarettes in boxcars boxcars boxcars trembling over the snow to an unseen Saskatchewan,

1955 — Howl
Controversial Unverifiable

who broke their backs lifting Moloch into heaven!

1955 — Howl
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm a registered Democrat. I'm a registered Buddhist. I'm a registered poet.

1990s — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable