Flann O'Brien quotes - page 2

Flann O'Brien was an Irish writer and satirist, renowned for his inventive and humorous novels. His works, including "At Swim-Two-Birds" and "The Third Policeman," combined elements of surrealism, absurdity, and sharp wit. He remains a celebrated figure in both Irish literature and postmodern fiction. Here are 32 of his quotes:

"Who is Fox?", I asked.

Flann O'Brien

You mean that because I have no name I cannot die and that you cannot be held answerable for death even if you kill me?

Flann O'Brien

Often in the theatre I can hardly hear myself talking or assuring my doxy that so-and-so is the same fellow that played so-and-so in so-and-so, he's very good, he's a civil servant in the Department of Agriculture, I met a sister of his in Skerries, and so on. Actors should conduct themselves like the rest of us and practise the unobtrusive intonation of the gentleman.

Flann O'Brien

Is it life?" he answered, "I would rather be without it," he said, "for there is queer small utility in it. You cannot eat it or drink it or smoke it in your pipe, it does not keep the rain out and it is a poor armful in the dark if you strip it and take it to bed with you after a night of porter when you are shivering with the red passion. It is a great mistake and a thing better done without, like bed-jars and foreign bacon.

Flann O'Brien

When things go wrong and will not come right.

Flann O'Brien

One beginning and one ending for a book was a thing I did not agree with. A good book may have three openings entirely dissimilar and inter-related only in the prescience of the author, or for that matter one hundred times as many endings.

Flann O'Brien