Portrait of William S. Burroughs

William S. Burroughs

Naked Lunch, Beat writer

Modern influential 92 sayings

Sayings by William S. Burroughs

The junk merchant doesn’t sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product.

1959 — From 'Naked Lunch'
Wisdom Unverifiable

After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say 'I want to see the manager.'

1985 — From 'The Adding Machine', his essays
Nature & World Unverifiable

After a certain point, there is no return. This point has to be reached.

1959 — Naked Lunch
General Unverifiable

The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure he never knows he's in prison.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

Sex is a form of communication. It's a way of saying I love you, or I hate you, or I want to kill you.

1980s — Interview
War & Violence Unverifiable

Gentlemen, I am a scientist. I am a novelist. I am a painter. I am a musician. I am a poet. I am a philosopher. I am a magician. I am a shaman. I am a witch doctor. I am a voodoo priest. I am a god. I am a devil. I am nothing. I am everything.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

The word 'love' is a dirty word.

1960s — Interview
General Unverifiable

I am not a homosexual. I am a human being.

1970s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The only way to get rid of a habit is to drop it.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

The only way to be free is to be totally disciplined.

1980s — Interview
General Unverifiable

I'm a junkie. I'm an addict. I'm a criminal. I'm a writer.

1950s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The only way to control a man is to make him believe he's free.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

I am a man of my word. My word is death.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

The only way to write is to write.

1960s — Interview
General Unverifiable

I'm not a beatnik. I'm a writer.

1950s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The only way to be a good writer is to be a bad person.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

The only way to get out of the trap is to die.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

I'm not a moralist. I'm a realist.

1970s — Interview
General Unverifiable

The only way to deal with life is to laugh at it.

Unknown — Attributed
General Unverifiable

I'm not a philosopher. I'm a writer.

1980s — Interview
General Unverifiable
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