891 Quotes by William Faulkner

And not only an architect, as General Compson said, but an artist since only an artist could have borne those two years in order to build a house which he doubtless not only expected but firmly intended never to see again.

She forced herself once more to think of nothing, to keep her consciousness immersed, as a little dog that one keeps under water until he has stopped struggling.

Be scared. You can’t help that. But don’t be afraid.

When ideas come, I write them; when they don’t come, I don’t.

If somebody tole you, hit could be a lie. But if you dream hit, hit can’t be a lie case ain’t nobody there to tole hit to you.

Menfolks listens to somebody because of what he says. Women don’t. They don’t care what he said. They listens because of what he is.

I reckon a man in a tight might let Bill Varner patch him up like a mule, but I be damned if the man that’d let Anse Bundren treat him with raw cement aint got more spare legs than I have.

Let the past abolish the past when – and if – it can substitute something better.

There is no such thing as bad whiskey. Some whiskeys just happen to be better than others. But a man shouldn’t fool with booze until he’s fifty; then he’s a damn fool if he doesn’t.