It's a tract against capital punishment in the genre of Swift's Modest Proposal. I was simply following a formula to its logical conclusion. Some people appear to have understood it. The publication of Naked Lunch in England practically coincided with their abolition of capital punishment. The book obviously had a certain effect.

Knowing you might not make it... in that knowledge courage is born.

After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say 'I want to see the manager.'

I don't have any politics. I feel that as soon as politics arises, things are already in a hopeless state of deterioration.

He [Samuel Beckett] is great, a very great writer. Any modern writer is bound to be influenced by [James] Joyce. Of course, by Beckett as well.

All abilities are paid for with disabilities. perfect health may entail the heavy toll of bovine stupidity. insight into one area involves blind spots in another.

Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use of any other drug with special horror.