There is nothing one fears more or is more ashamed of than not being oneself. Yet few people realize even an approximation of their true potential. Most people must live with varying degrees of the shame and fear of not being fully in control of themselves.
William S. BurroughsA writer does not own words any more than a painter owns colors. So lets dispense with this originality fetishโฆ Look, listen and transcribe and forget about being original.
William S. BurroughsDo not proffer sympathy to the mentally ill; it is a bottomless pit. Tell them firmly, "I am not paid to listen to this drivel - you are a terminal fool!" Otherwise, they make you as crazy as they are.
William S. BurroughsEvery man has inside himself a parasitic being who is acting not at all to his advantage.
William S. BurroughsI wasn't exposed to art as I was growing up, and can't recall the first time I saw a work of art. However, I remember very clearly a vision I had of a little green reindeer when I was a child, and visions emanate from the same mythical area where painting resides. Whatever the reason, I immediately felt comfortable working with visual materials.
William S. Burroughs