William S. Burroughs

William Seward Burroughs (1914-02-05 – 1997-08-02), more commonly known as William S. Burroughs, was an American novelist, essayist, social critic, painter and spoken word performer. Much of Burroughs' work is semi-autobiographical, drawn from his experiences as an opiate addict, a condition that marked the last fifty years of his life. He was a central member of the Beat Generation, an avant-garde author who influenced popular culture as well as literature. In 1984 he was elected to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

Found 19 thoughts of William S. Burroughs

William S. Burroughs

Language is a virus from outer space.

Junk is the ultimate merchandise. The junk merchant does not sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to the product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise, he degrades and simplifies the client.

I know that Nature designs that this whole continent, not merely these thirty-six states, shall be, sooner or later, within the magic circle of the American union.

The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.

Nothing exists until or unless it is observed. An artist is making something exist by observing it. And his hope for other people is that they will also make it exist by observing it. I call it 'creative observation.' Creative viewing.

You can't fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal.

There couldn't be a society of people who didn't dream. They'd be dead in two weeks.

The only possible ethic is to do what one wants to do.

Every man has inside himself a parasitic being who is acting not at all to his advantage.

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

Black magic operates most effectively in preconscious, marginal areas. Casual curses are the most effective.

Like all pure creatures, cats are practical.

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

Which came first the intestine or the tapeworm?

A paranoid is someone who knows a little of what's going on.

Be just and if you can't be just, be arbitrary.

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

Anything that can be done chemically can be done by other means.

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