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J. P. Donleavy

86 quotes

“Rid the mind of knowledge when looking for pleasure. Or start thinking and find a lot of pain.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Saddest Summer of Samuel S (New York: Delacorte Press, 1966) pp. 62-3.
“I got disappointed in human nature as well and gave it up because I found it too much like my own.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1973 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Fairy Tale of New York (London: Eyre Methuen, 1973) p. 224.
“Writing is turning one's worst moments into money.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1978 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed in Punch, March 22, 1978, p. 484.
“On Being Old. It's not nice but take comfort that you won't stay that way for ever.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Unexpurgated Code: A Complete Manual of Survival & Manners (New York: Delacorte Press/Seymour Lawrence, 1975) p. 278.
“The inhabitants will always see both sides of an argument so long as it can result in a fight.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Funeral of Denny Cordell" (1995), cited from An Author and his Image: The Collected Short Pieces (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1997) p. 178.
“By all means come in, Kenneth." "Some place. What holds it up?" "Faith.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1968 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch.2 - p.11 [Page numbers per the Penguin Books 1968 paperback.]
“Reach over and press this buzzer for action. A young man's raw face flicked around the door. "Good morning, Mr. Dangerfield." "A fine spring morning, a double and some Woodbines." "Certainly, sir. Early today?" "Little business to attend to." "It's always business isn't it." "O aye." Some fine cliches there. Should be encouraged. Too many damn people trying to be different. Coining phrases when a good platitude would do and save anxiety.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Across the Butt Bridge. Covered with torn newspapers and hulking toothless old men watching out the last years. They're bored. I know you've been in apprenticeships and that there was a moment when you were briefly respected for an opinion. Be in the sight of God soon. He'll be shocked. But there's happiness up there, gentlemen. All white and gold. Acetylene lighted sky. And when you go, go third class. You damn bastards.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And dear God Give me strength To put my shoulder To the wheel And push Like the rest.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They crossed the street and O'Keefe bought an Irish Times and moved jauntily over the bridge, both filled with a torrent of words bled from O'Keefe's excitement and memories of Dublin. They looked a curious pair and a group of small boys called after them, Jews, Jews, and O'Keefe spun back with an accusing finger, Irish, Irish, and they stood barefoot in silence. "That's what I like about Ireland, so open about hatreds.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But Jesus, when you don't have any money, the problem is food. When you have money, it's sex. When you have both it's health, you worry about getting rupture or something. If everything is simply jake then you're frightened of death.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A change of scene is good for a change of mind.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I know this is a dreadful inconvenience for you, Miss Frost. I want you to know I really appreciate it. I have till now counted my friends on a hand of amputated fingers.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hearts clicking. Remember that. Just so many times and click, we go away in this roofless world.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Takes two to congress.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I comforted her with readings from this Aquinas because he says it's good for you. And I said, tenderly earwards, heads on the pillow, that from manure, lilies grow. To know the real goodness one had to be bad and of sin. What good is it to God for a child to be born pure, to live purely and die purely. Where was the grace in that shallow, white sterility? You don't want that stuff. No. Get down it, down. The greatest whiteness is touched with black. The righteous were a sneaky bunch anyway.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm suspicious about people interested in saving other people's souls.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mr Dangerfield, why don't you believe in hell and things like that?" "Hell is for poor people.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What are you going to do in London?" "Rest from the eyes. Ever notice the eyes along the street. Ever notice them? Looking for something. And in this fine cultured city it's me.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How small we make our worlds. Gather them in, tighten them up into little castles of fear.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Turn to gangsterism." "Sebastian, I couldn't." "Tone, pride has you at its mercy." "Has me by the very ballocks." "Tony, I think a pint would see us right." "I think you're right for the first time since you last said that.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They say there is good in everyone. If you just give them a chance. And a good boot in the arse.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All I want Is one break Which is not My neck.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I've something to tell you in strict confidence so spread it everywhere.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now kneel down in that booth while I give ye me special yule blessing. Get down in that booth. I know you're standing, you dirty ould cheat. Get down. For Jesus, what are you doing, ripping the phone out? Repeat after me, the Lord is my shepherd as I am one of his sheared sheep." "The Lord is my shepherd as I am one of his sheared sheep.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life getting like a merrygoround with people getting on and off and no one paying for the ride.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1966 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch.4 - p.38 [Page numbers per the Penguin Books 1966 paperback (1970 reprint).]
“It would seem in life when all is said and done that it is unwise to speak to anyone if it can be avoided.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you don't live with kids they grow to hate you. If you live with them they hate you more. Not a shred of respect. [...] Take my money, and then look me in the eye and say who asked you to be our father.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I, George Smith, hereby make known my last will and testicle. First off I should like to rear up and haunt all those who tried to screw me up while living. Special attention to be given those fuck pigs who have communicated with me by letter attempting thereby to get funds from my unrelenting clutches.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Interesting that in times of terror, when the boom is to be lowered, people you hire to save you trouble and trembling think instantly of their own skins. As things come out of the void to get you. Bullets, buses, trucks, germs.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What would make you happy, Miss Tomson." "A guy with a large soul. Not the small sneaky rats careening around these days.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Smell weakness and they close in all at once.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A pity to meet kindness. Lower one's guard. And wham.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ambling south along the river past the Watch Museum, where so often one means to visit but never finds the time.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You look so splendid." "Just my image. The inner Tomson is in a sand storm, the outer one is skiing down the sunny mountain, smiling." "Shall we bring the inner Tomson somewhere for a cocktail?" "Let's.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Morning wiping sleepy dust from eyes, Balthazar asked nannie why does everyone cry. Because your father has gone away. Where. To where people go. Where do they go. They pass away. Where. To be with God. Why. Because they are dead. What is dead. Dead is when your heart grows cold. Will my heart ever grow cold. Yes God love you little boy.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1970 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch.2 - p.9 [Page numbers per the Penguin Books 1970 UK paperback (1972 reprint).]
“If you shoot off a chap's kneecaps I hardly think there is point in putting bullets in his liver.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A tall scholar rushes up the steps to the lectern and Latins out grace. Beseated. A great clatter of shifting chairs. The carvers stand at their long tables sharpening knives. The great joints heaved up on their platters at the serving hatch. Thin harassed faces of these little women stared out across the dark gowned gathering. To catch their breath and go plunging back down again deep into the bowels of this dungeon kitchen. The clank of cutlery. The passing of the jug of beer. Light refreshing ale, a gift from a prosperous brewer.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Good larder is a man's salvation.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Along the Liffey quays this night, puddles of water on the cobble stoned street. Lonely lamplights. Coal dust and barrels, crates and bundles of wire. Great shadows of the gas tank rearing in the sky. A whiff and sniff and smell of pine timber. Wild shadows against a sky faintly purple. Clouds rolling with moonlit edges. The blast of a ship's whistle. A hawser splashing in the water. Up in the crystal night the ship's red light. Trembling engines as the great black silhouette moves out on the flowing river.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Balthazar B standing on this grey wet pavement. The rain falling through a halo of lamplight. A post office, butcher, grocer and newsagent. Lonely houses behind high hedges. The wind with a seaweed smell off the sea. This girl thinly standing, clutching her handbag. The rear red light of the taxi still seen after its sound is gone.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life is always travelling to a sorrow.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Eat this great bowl of emptiness.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Reach up to put a hand to some dream you kept awake. Now you take it like a red ripe apple and polish quietly up and down one's sleeve.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And there. Caught in the morning sun. She goes. Galloping. Her hair flying from her head as Dingle's flows out from his mane. A gleaming black body rippling of muscle. Great long legs stretching out on the emerald turf.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I swim back to the shores of privilege out of the sea of the dispossessed.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He is young but he thinks old.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Unable to see further than tomorrow.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Percival, you seem to have confidence in the future." "Ah now without the present you wouldn't have a future. And sure the present is busy making the past while the future is waiting. And there's no harm keeping the future waiting while it's not here yet. And when you get there what is it but you're in the present all over again." Staring out the tiny window of the turret. Things not so bad. When you think. There's no harm keeping the future waiting.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) first seen 1972 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ch.4 - p.35, 36 [Page numbers per the Penguin Books 1972 UK paperback.]
“Charnel Castle's ivied turrets massively silhouetted against the sky. Smoke pouring from four chimney pots. Two great black birds throb wings up into the blue from a battlement, turn, wheel and dive with gleaming wings and zoom up again in the mild air. Bleat of sheep. Call of a lamb. From which Percival if he's a good shot may get a chop. Or a trout may flip out for the breakfast table from a stream flowing by the castle wall.”
J. P. Donleavy (1926–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source