John Berryman Quotes

Best Quotes by John Berryman (Top 10)

You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest.
John Berryman
I am so wise I had my mouth sewn shut.
John Berryman
We must travel in the direction of our fear.
John Berryman
The artist is extremely lucky who is presented with the worst possible ordeal which will not actually kill him. At that point, he's in business.
John Berryman
Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so. After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns, we ourselves flash and yearn
John Berryman
Bats have no bankers and they do not drink and cannot be arrested and pay no tax and, in general, bats have it made.
John Berryman
Them lady poets must not marry, pal.
John Berryman
We have reason to be afraid. This is a terrible place.
John Berryman
These Songs are not meant to be understood, you understand. They are only meant to terrify & comfort.
John Berryman
I do strongly feel that among the greatest pieces of luck for high achievement is ordeal. Certain great artists can make out without it, Titian and others, but mostly you need ordeal. My idea is this: the artist is extremely lucky who is presented with the worst possible ordeal which will not actually kill him. At that point, he's in business: Beethoven's deafness, Goya's deafness, Milton's blindness, that kind of thing.
John Berryman

One must be ruthless with one's own writing or someone else will be.
John Berryman
Two daiquiris withdrew into a corner of a gorgeous room and one told the other a lie.
John Berryman
I conclude now I have no inner resources, because I am heavy bored. Peoples bore me, literature bores me, especially great literature,
John Berryman
That is our "ﾂ湾ointed task. Love & die.
John Berryman
There is no such thing as Freedom (though it is the most important condition of human life, after Humility, -which does not exist either). There is only Slavery (walls around one) and absence-of-Slavery (ability to walk in any direction, or to remain still).
John Berryman
something has been said for sobriety but very little.
John Berryman
This world is gradually becoming a place Where I do not care to be any more.
John Berryman
Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so. After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns, we ourselves flash and yearn, and moreover my mother told me as a boy (repeatedly) 'Ever to confess you're bored means you have no inner Resources.' I conclude now I have no inner resources, because I am heavy bored.
John Berryman