Portrait of Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg

Howl, Beat poet

Modern influential 268 sayings

Sayings by Allen Ginsberg

The poet is a criminal. He stands against the law.

1975 — Lecture at Naropa Institute.
General Unverifiable

The war is language, language abused for Advertisement, language used like magic for power on the planet.

1966 — From 'Wichita Vortex Sutra', critiquing media manipulation.
War & Violence Confirmed

Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture.

1975 — Interview on mass media influence.
General Confirmed

I’m sick of being a tool of the ruling class.

1960 — Journal entry during political disillusionment.
General Unverifiable

Capitalism is cannibalism. It eats people.

1970 — Speech at socialist rally.
General Unverifiable

The only decent politicians are dead politicians.

1989 — Offhand remark during interview.
Political Unverifiable

The CIA should be abolished.

1975 — Interview on government corruption.
General Unverifiable

America is ruled by a gang of capitalist thugs.

1964 — Speech at Berkeley Free Speech Movement event.
General Unverifiable

I’m not afraid to say that the U.S. government is the most violent institution in the world.

1967 — Anti-Vietnam War protest.
Political Unverifiable

The only way to protest a mad world is to be as mad as it is.

1968 — Interview on activism and insanity.
General Unverifiable

The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them away.

1972 — Speech on political incompetence.
Political Unverifiable

The truth is always an insult or a joke.

1963 — Journal entry on honesty and discomfort.
General Unverifiable

The only war that matters is the war against the imagination.

1978 — Interview on creativity vs. oppression.
War & Violence Unverifiable

The world is a nightmare of police states and corporate control.

1980 — Speech at anarchist gathering.
General Unverifiable

If homosexuality is a disease, let’s all call in queer to work.

1975 — Gay rights protest slogan.
General Unverifiable

The CIA has been dealing drugs since the 1950s.

1972 — Interview on government complicity in drug trade.
General Unverifiable

The government is a whorehouse, and the president is the pimp.

1974 — Anti-Nixon rant during Watergate.
Political Unverifiable

The only people for me are the mad ones.

1957 — From 'On the Road' foreword (about Kerouac but reflects his ethos).
General Unverifiable

The FBI is the American Gestapo.

1969 — Interview on government surveillance.
General Unverifiable

The future is a drag.

1985 — Casual remark on pessimism.
General Unverifiable
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