Quotes by William S. Burroughs

"Silence is only frightening to people who are compulsively verbalizing."

Share Copy

"Language is a virus from outer space."

Share Copy

"No one owns life, but anyone who can pick up a frying pan owns death."

Share Copy

"The way to kill a man or a nation is to cut off his dreams, the way the whites are taking care of the Indians: killing their dreams, their magic, their familiar spirits."

Share Copy

"Happiness is a byproduct of function, purpose, and conflict; those who seek happiness for itself seek victory without war."

Share Copy

"Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape."

Share Copy

"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."

Share Copy

"You must learn to exist with no religion, no country, no allies. You must learn to live alone in silence."

Share Copy

"In deep sadness there is no place for sentimentality."

Share Copy

"The purpose of technology is not to confuse the brain but to serve the body."

Share Copy

"The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself. Of course he wants care and shelter. You don't buy love for nothing."

Share Copy

"Like all pure creatures, cats are practical."

Share Copy

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

Share Copy

"Man is an artifact designed for space travel. He is not designed to remain in his present biologic state any more than a tadpole is designed to remain a tadpole."

Share Copy