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Brendan Behan Quotes
d. 1964 Ireland
Brendan Francis Behan (9 February 1923 – 20 March 1964) was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English.
Ireland Novelists Playwrights Poets Short story writers Also known as: Behan, Brendan Francis, Brendan Francis Behan
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11 quotes
There's no bad publicity except an obituary.
The World of Brendan Behan (1966)
It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.
Interviews and Recollections (1982)
The sun was in mind to come out but having a look at the weather it was in lost heart and went back again.
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.
An author's first duty is to let down his country.
The Guardian (1960)
I only drink on two occasions — When I am thirsty and when I'm not.
Malcolm Arnold: Rogue Genius (2004)
Mother, they would praise my balls if I hung them high enough.
He was born an Englishman and remained one for years.
Hostage (1958)
When I came back to Dublin, I was courtmartialled in my absence and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence.
Hostage (1958)
I respect kindness in human beings first of all, and kindness to animals. I don't respect the law; 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.
Brendan Behan: Man and Showman (1966)
As regards drink, I can only say that in Dublin during the Depression when I was growing up, drunkenness was not regarded as a social disgrace. To get enough to eat was regarded as an achievement. To get drunk was a victory.
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