My imagination functions much better when I don't have to speak to people.

Quote by Patricia Highsmith

Topics: Patricia Highsmith Quotes

I have Graham Greene's telephone number, but I wouldn't dream of using it. I don't...

I have Graham Greene's telephone number, but I wouldn't dream of using it. I don't...

Perhaps God and the Devil danced hand in hand around every single electron.

Perhaps God and the Devil danced hand in hand around every single electron.

I prefer to live in the country where it's quiet. Woody Allen movies there are...

I prefer to live in the country where it's quiet. Woody Allen movies there are...

I didn't hang around films. I don't know if I'd ever seen Hitchcock's The Lady...

I didn't hang around films. I don't know if I'd ever seen Hitchcock's The Lady...

Some fellow from the Third World kept hammering for prizes for a Communist film which...

Some fellow from the Third World kept hammering for prizes for a Communist film which...

I don't set the alarm to get up. I get up when I feel like...

I don't set the alarm to get up. I get up when I feel like...

I don't want to know movie directors. I don't want to be close to them....

I don't want to know movie directors. I don't want to be close to them....

I find the public passion for justice quite boring and artificial.

I find the public passion for justice quite boring and artificial.

I think J.D. Salinger is correct in granting no interviews, and in making no speeches.

I think J.D. Salinger is correct in granting no interviews, and in making no speeches.

I was in New York. Hitchcock was in California. He rang me to make a...

I was in New York. Hitchcock was in California. He rang me to make a...

I can't write if someone else is in the house, not even the cleaning woman.

I can't write if someone else is in the house, not even the cleaning woman.

I like to work for four or five hours a day. I aim for seven...

I like to work for four or five hours a day. I aim for seven...

God does not give us more than we can handle in life; it's how we...

God does not give us more than we can handle in life; it's how we...

Ripley is married. And he's not lost. He has his feet on the ground.

Ripley is married. And he's not lost. He has his feet on the ground.

If people have bought something of mine, they know by now that I will decline...

If people have bought something of mine, they know by now that I will decline...

A few years ago, there were requests to me, Can we make this? I said...

A few years ago, there were requests to me, Can we make this? I said...

For neither life nor nature cares if justice is ever done or not.

For neither life nor nature cares if justice is ever done or not.

Unless you're food, water, or shelter, stop acting like I need you. I'll be just...

Unless you're food, water, or shelter, stop acting like I need you. I'll be just...

But especially if you have the wrong people within your circle. Truthfully, at the end...

But especially if you have the wrong people within your circle. Truthfully, at the end...

The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic...

The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic...