Brendan Behan
From Wikiquote
Brendan Francis Behan (9 February 1923 - 20 March 1964) was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English.
[edit] General
- He was born an Englishman and remained one for years.
- Hostage (1958)
- An author's first duty is to let down his country.
- As quoted in The Guardian (1960), and also in The Cynic's Lexicon : A Dictionary of Amoral Advice (1984), by Jonathon Green, p. 20
- There's no bad publicity except an obituary.
- As quoted in The World of Brendan Behan (1966) by Sean McCann, p. 56
- Variant: There's no bad publicity except an obituary notice.
- The sun was in mind to come out but having a look at the weather it was in lost heart and went back again.
- Confessions of an Irish Rebel (1967)
- It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.
- As quoted in Brendan Behan, Interviews and Recollections (1982), Vol. 2, edited by E. H. Mikhail, p. 186
- Critics are like eunuchs in a harem: they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves.
- As quoted in The Cynic's Lexicon : A Dictionary of Amoral Advice (1984), by Jonathon Green, p. 20
- Mother, they would praise my balls if I hung them high enough.
- Speaking of newspaper critics, as quoted in Mother of all the Behans : The story of Kathleen Behan as told to Brian Behan (1984) by Kathleen Behan and Brian Behan, p. 119
- I only drink on two occasions — When I am thirsty and when I'm not.
- As quoted in Malcolm Arnold : Rogue Genius (2004) by Anthony Meredith and Paul Harris, p. 337
[edit] Quotes about Behan
- Brendan described himself as a drinker with a writing problem, but what he really was a painter with a writing problem. No matter in what country of the globe he resided, or how many luminaries he met, the would always be a painter in his soul. If he had remained one for his livelihood, he could still be alive today.
- Brian Behan, in The Brothers Behan (1998) p. 15
- Brendan lit a bonfire under the arse of Irish literature. He took it by the scruff of the neck and dragged it kicking and screaming into the 20th century.
- Brian Behan, in The Brothers Behan (1998) p. 23
- If the English hoard words like misers, the Irish spend them like sailors; and Brendan Behan ... sends language out on a swaggering spree, ribald, flushed, and spoiling for a fight.
- Kenneth Tynan, as quoted in Aspects of the Irish Theatre No. 1 (1972), by Patrick Rafroidi, p. 133
