What I wanted most of all was to use sex as a weapon to allure, subjugate, and, if possible, destroy the personality of others.

Vice is its own reward. It is virtue which, if it is to be marketed with consumer appeal, must carry Green Shield stamps.

Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.

Happiness is the only thing I understand.

Of course I lie to people. But I lie altruistically - for our mutual good. The lie is the basic building block of good manners. That may seem mildly shocking to a moralist - but then what isn't?

Quentin Crisp (to handsome young man on the street): "What's the matter, sexy? Don't you like dehydrated fruit?

Why get married? For human beings, marriage is such an unnatural state. If you want monogamy, it has been said, you should marry a swan.