I was court-martialled in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence.
About Brendan Behan
Brendan Francis Aidan Behanwas an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican, an activist who wrote in both English and Irish. His widely acknowledged alcohol dependence, despite attempts to treat it, impacted his creative capacities and contributed to health and social problems which curtailed his artistic output and finally his life.
More quotes from Brendan Behan
I say myself no depressed words just depressed minds.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
All publicity is good, except an obituary notice.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
I am a drinker with writing problems.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
I have never seen a situation so dismal that a policeman couldn’t make it worse.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it’s done, they’ve seen it done every day, but they’re unable to do it themselves.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
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.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
It is a good deed to forget a poor joke.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
It’s not that the Irish are cynical. It’s rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
I was court-martialled in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
What the hell difference does it make, left or right? There were good men lost on both sides.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
When I came back to Dublin I was courtmartialed in my absence and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
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.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
Ah, bless you, Sister, may all your sons be bishops.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
The big difference between sex for money and sex for free is that sex for money usually costs a lot less.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
Shakespeare said pretty well everything and what he left out, James Joyce, with a judge from meself, put in.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
I am a daylight atheist.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
I wish I’d been a mixed infant.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
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.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
One drink is too many for me and a thousand not enough.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)
Other people have a nationality. The Irish and the Jews have a psychosis.
Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)