American poet & novelist (1920-1994)
I was a man who thrived on solitude; without it I was like another man without food or water. Each day without solitude weakened me. I took no pride in my solitude; but I was dependent on it. The darkness of the room was like sunlight to me.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Factotum
There's nothing like privacy. You know, I like people. It's nice that they might like my books and all that...but I'm not the book, see? I'm the guy who wrote it, but I don't want them to come up and throw roses on me or anything. I want them to let me breathe.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Interview Magazine, September 1987
What a weary time those years were -- to have the desire and the need to live but not the ability.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Ham on Rye
I guess the only time most people think about injustice is when it happens to them.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Ham on Rye
Find what you love and let it kill you.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
attributed, Greatest Motivational and Inspirational Quotes on Life, Love and Happiness
I had noticed that both in the very poor and very rich extremes of society the mad were often allowed to mingle freely.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Ham on Rye
News travels fast in places where nothing much ever happens.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
Ham on Rye
Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.
CHARLES BUKOWSKI
attributed, Bukowski Unleashed!: Essays on a Dirty Old Man