John Osborne Quotes

38 Sourced Quotes

And even in the hatred of the majority, there's a kind of triumph because I know that, although they'd never admit it, they secretly respect me.

John Osborne
Go on - but don't think you can kill my confidence. I've had experts doing it for years.

John Osborne
Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost what it feels about dogs.

John Osborne
This is a letter of hate. It is for you my countrymen, I mean those men of my country who have defiled it. The men with manic fingers leading the sightless, feeble, betrayed body of my country to its death…damn you England.

John Osborne
Homophobia may be offensive but the other side of the coin is just as noisome, whatever they may tell you in Euroboy or Zipper.

John Osborne
That voice that cries out doesn't have to be a weakling's does it?

John Osborne
George Dillon: [I]t's easy to answer the ultimate questions – it saves you bothering with the immediate ones.

John Osborne
There aren't any good, brave causes left. If the big bang does come, and we all get killed off, it won't be in aid of the old-fashioned, grand design. It'll just be for the Brave New-nothing-very-much-thank-you. About as pointless and inglorious as stepping in front of a bus.

John Osborne
I don't think one 'comes down' from Jimmy's university. According to him, it's not even red brick, but white tile.

John Osborne
George Bernard Shaw writes like a Pakistani who has learned English when he was twelve years old in order to become an accountant.

John Osborne
Damn you, England. You're rotting now, and quite soon you'll disappear. My hate will outrun you yet if only for a few seconds. I wish it could be eternal.

John Osborne
What are we hoping to get out of it, what's it all in aid of – is it really just for the sake of a gloved hand waving at you from a golden coach?

John Osborne
Why do I do this every Sunday? Even the book reviews seem to be the same as last week's. Different books – same reviews.

John Osborne
Archie Rice: Let me know where you're working tomorrow night and I'll come and see you.

John Osborne
Jimmy Porter: They spend their time mostly looking forward to the past.

John Osborne
It is not true that drink changes a man's character. It may reveal it more clearly.

John Osborne
Laughter's the nearest we ever get, or should get, to sainthood. It's the state of grace that saves most of us from contempt.

John Osborne
Let's pretend that we're human beings and that we're actually alive.

John Osborne
In London, love and scandal are considered the best sweeteners of tea.

John Osborne
The schoolteacher is certainly underpaid as a childminder, but ludicrously overpaid as an educator.

John Osborne
Oh heavens, how I long for a little ordinary human enthusiasm. Just enthusiasm—that's all. I want to hear a warm, thrilling voice cry out Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I'm alive!

John Osborne
You see I learnt at an early age what it was to be angry - angry and helpless. And I can never forget it. I knew more about - love... betrayal... and death, when I was ten years old than you will probably ever know in your life.

John Osborne
Archie Rice: I'm dead behind these eyes. I'm dead, just like the whole inert, shoddy lot out there. It doesn't matter because I don't feel a thing, and neither do they.

John Osborne
It's no good trying to fool yourself about love. You can't fall into it like a soft job, without dirtying up your hands. It takes muscle and guts. And if you can't bear the thought of messing up your nice, clean soul, you'd better give up the whole idea of life and become a saint.

John Osborne
Since I gave up hope, I feel so much better.

John Osborne