William S. Burroughs quotes

William S. Burroughs was an influential American writer and visual artist, associated with the Beat Generation. His unconventional narratives and experimental style pushed the boundaries of modern literature. He remains a pivotal figure in countercultural movements and avant-garde art. Here are 189 of his quotes:

A paranoid man is a man who knows a little about what's going on. (William S. Burroughs)
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer. View quote
William S. Burroughs
A functioning police state needs no police. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Love? What is it? Most natural painkiller what there is. LOVE. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Nothing is true, everything is permitted. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use any other drug with special horror. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape. View quote
William S. Burroughs
The junk merchant doesn't sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise. He degrades and simplifies the client. View quote
William S. Burroughs
The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself. Of course he wants care and shelter. You don't buy love for nothing. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Hustlers of the world, there is one mark you cannot beat: the mark inside. View quote
William S. Burroughs
In deep sadness there is no place for sentimentality. (William S. Burroughs)
Happiness is a byproduct of function, purpose, and conflict; those who seek happiness for itself seek victory without war. View quote
William S. Burroughs
After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say 'I want to see the manager.' View quote
William S. Burroughs
America is not a young land it is old and dirty and evil before the settlers, before the Indians. The evil is there waiting. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Perhaps all pleasure is only relief. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can't fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal. View quote
William S. Burroughs
After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Anything that can be done chemically can be done by other means. View quote
William S. Burroughs
When you stop growing you start dying. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Communication must become total and conscious before we can stop it. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Last night I woke up with someone squeezing my hand. It was my other hand. (William S. Burroughs)
Sometimes paranoia's just having all the facts. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Language is a virus from outer space. View quote
William S. Burroughs
How I hate those who are dedicated to producing conformity. View quote
William S. Burroughs
Like all pure creatures, cats are practical. View quote
William S. Burroughs