The flagrantly gay Quentin Crisp dealt with homophobic bullying by refusing to bow to its onslaught. His number listed in the phone directory, he responded to derogatory remarks accompanied with a stated intent to kill him by asking, "Would you like to make an appointment?"

The poverty from which I have suffered could be diagnosed as 'Soho' poverty. It comes from having the airs and graces of a genius and no talent.

The worst part of being gay in the twentieth century is all that damn disco music to which one has to listen.

Believe in fate, but lean forward where fate can see you.

Manners are a way of getting what you want without appearing to be an absolute swine.

There are three reasons for becoming a writer: the first is that you need the money; the second that you have something to say that you think the world should know; the third is that you can't think what to do with the long winter evenings.

I don't really act. I say the words the way I would say them if I meant them.