Hubert Selby, Jr.
Hubert Selby, Jr.
Hubert "Cubby" Selby Jr.was an American writer. His best-known novels are Last Exit to Brooklynand Requiem for a Dream, exploring worlds in the New York area. Both novels were adapted later as films, and he appeared in small roles in each...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth23 July 1928
CountryUnited States of America
Hubert Selby, Jr. quotes about
pain thinking here-i-am
I think the function of suffering is to let me know that my perception is skewed; what I’m doing is judging natural events in such a way that I am creating suffering within myself. For instance, you have pain over certain conditions, certain situations that occur. And if you just say ‘ok, here I am, I’m going to experience the pain,’ you don’t suffer. The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.
mean artist giving
Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this meaningless gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission.
pain loneliness heart
There's a sorrow and pain in everyone's life, but every now and then there's a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your heart and brings comfort like hot soup and a soft bed.
pain laughing get-better
Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will get better with time and time just seems to stand still and laugh at you and your pain.
dream integrity believe
Obviously, I believe that to pursue the American Dream is not only futile but self-destructive because ultimately it destroys everything and everyone involved with it. By definition it must, because it nurtures everything except those things that are important: integrity, ethics, truth, our very heart and soul. Why? The reason is simple: because Life/life is giving, not getting.
responsibility artist ego
The responsibility of the artist is to transcend the human ego.
writing years people
One of the things I have become aware of through the years is how much I love the people I write about.
oysters knowing feelings
They luxuriated in the feeling of deep and all pervading satisfaction, a feeling of knowing absolutely that all was well with the world and them and that the world was not only their oyster it was also their linguine with clam sauce. Not only were all things possible, but all things were theirs.
depression week minutes
For weeks Tyrone thought he was going to die any minute, and there were also times when he was afraid he wasnt going to die.
country hate writing
There are a lot of people in this country who really like my writing. And a lot of writers respect me. But the so-called establishment? They hate me.
mean love-someone cant
But you cant shut everyone out. I mean you have to have someone to love. . .someone to hold on to. . . someone--
requiem-for-a-dream knows
He didnt know what was defeating him, but he sensed it was something he could not cope with, something that was far beyond his power to control or even at this point in time comprehend.
laughter frustration laughing
All the energy of their frustration and fear going into their laughter.
lying believe trying
...and he just sat back and stared at the tube, almost interested in what was happening, trying to find the ability to believe in that lie so he could believe the one within.