You can't really be strong until you see a funny side to things.

This world belongs to the strong, my friend! The ritual of our existence is based on the strong getting stronger by devouring the weak. We must face up to this. No more than right that it should be this way. We must learn to accept it as a law of the natural world. The rabbits accept their role in the ritual and recognize the wolf as the strong. In defense, the rabbit becomes sly and frightened and elusive and he digs holes and hides when the wolf is about. And he endures, he goes on. He knows his place. He most certainly doesn't challenge the wolf to combat. Now, would that be wise? Would it?

The job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer.

The job of the writer is to kiss no ass, no matter how big and holy and white and tempting and powerful.

Allen Ginsberg is a tremendous warrior as time goes by. He's a warrior first and a poet second.

I used to think we were going to win in the '60s. Nixon went out and I thought we won.

To hell with facts! We need stories.