Brendan Behan quotes

Brendan Behan was an Irish writer and playwright, celebrated for his witty and rebellious works. His plays and memoirs often reflect the political turbulence and social realities of mid-20th century Ireland. He became renowned for his sharp humor, candid storytelling, and vibrant personality. Here are 43 of his quotes:

I was court-martialled in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence. (Brendan Behan)
There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary. View quote
Brendan Behan
An author's first duty is to let down his country. View quote
Brendan Behan
Critics are like eunuchs in a harem. They're there every night, they see it done every night, they see how it should be done every night, but they can't do it themselves. View quote
Brendan Behan
It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody. View quote
Brendan Behan
He was born an Englishman and remained one for years. View quote
Brendan Behan
I'm a drinker with writing problems. View quote
Brendan Behan
I only drink on two occasions - When I am thirsty and when I'm not. View quote
Brendan Behan
I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper and the old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer. View quote
Brendan Behan
Ah, bless you, Sister, may all your sons be bishops. View quote
Brendan Behan
To get enough to eat was regarded as an achievement. To get drunk was a victory. (Brendan Behan)
The sun was in mind to come out but having a look at the weather it was in lost heart and went back again. View quote
Brendan Behan
The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you. View quote
Brendan Behan
Other people have a nationality. The Irish and the Jews have a psychosis. View quote
Brendan Behan
The big difference between sex for money and sex for free is that sex for money usually costs a lot less. View quote
Brendan Behan
If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks. View quote
Brendan Behan
Shakespeare said pretty well everything and what he left out, James Joyce, with a judge from meself, put in. View quote
Brendan Behan
New York is my Lourdes, where I go for spiritual refreshment... a place where you're least likely to be bitten by a wild goat. View quote
Brendan Behan
The Bible was a consolation to a fellow alone in the old cell. The lovely thin paper with a bit of matress stuffing in it, if you could get a match, was as good a smoke as I ever tasted. View quote
Brendan Behan
I wish I'd been a mixed infant. View quote
Brendan Behan
What the hell difference does it make, left or right? There were good men lost on both sides. (Brendan Behan)
I am a daylight atheist. View quote
Brendan Behan
All publicity is good, except an obituary notice. View quote
Brendan Behan
They took away our land, our language, and our religion; but they could never harness our tongues... View quote
Brendan Behan
Mother, they would praise my balls if I hung them high enough. View quote
Brendan Behan