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?"

I don't know how people act. I've never understood that.

I take it to be axiomatic that people are revolted by witnessing the shameless gratification of an appetite they do not share.

To my disappointment I now realized that to know all is not to forgive all. It is to despise everybody.

America believes in freedom. The English don't believe in it. They don't believe in happiness.

I never spend my time doing anything I'll have to do again tomorrow.

You should make no effort to try to join society, stay right where you are. Give your name and serial number and wait for society to come to you.