There is no such thing as a homosexual or a heterosexual person. There are only homo—or heterosexual acts. Most people are a mixture of impulses if not practices.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
I married a German. Every night I dress up as Poland and he invades me.
—Bette Midler (b.1945) American Actress, Singer
Sex is more than an act of pleasure, its’ the ability to be able to feel so close to a person, so connected, so comfortable that it’s almost breathtaking to the point you feel you can’t take it. And at this moment you’re a part of them.
—Unknown
Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That’s their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood.
—Gloria Steinem (b.1934) American Feminist, Journalist, Social Activist, Political Activist
Money, it turned out, was exactly like sex; you thought of nothing else if you didn’t have it and thought of other things if you did.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
The question of sexual dominance can exist only in the nightmare of that soul which has armed itself, totally, against the possibility of the changing motion of conquest and surrender, which is love.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
As I grow older and older
And totter towards the tomb,
I find I care less and less
Who goes to bed with whom.
—Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957) British Crime Writer
However muted its present appearance may be, sexual dominion obtains nevertheless as perhaps the most pervasive ideology of our culture and provides its most fundamental concept of power.
—Kate Millet (1934–2017) American Feminist, Writer, Sculptor
Civilized people cannot fully satisfy their sexual instinct without love
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Of all the various kinds of sexual intercourse, this has the least to recommend it. As an amusement, it is too fleeting; as an occupation, it is too wearing; as a public exhibition, there is no money in it. It is unsuited to the drawing room, and in the most cultured society it has long been banished from the social board. It has at last, in our day of progress and improvement, been degraded to brotherhood with flatulence. Among the best bred, these two arts are now indulged only in private— though by consent of the whole company, when only males are present, it is still permissible, in good society, to remove the embargo on the fundamental sigh.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Sexual love is undoubtedly one of the chief things in life, and the union of mental and bodily satisfaction in the enjoyment of love is one of its culminating peaks. Apart from a few queer fanatics, all the world knows this and conducts its life accordingly; science alone is too delicate to admit it.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
There is the pleasurable orgasm, like a rising sales graph, and there is the unpleasurable orgasm, slumping ominously like the Dow Jones in 1929.
—William S. Burroughs (1914–97) American Novelist, Poet, Short Story Writer, Painter
Sex is the ersatz or substitute religion of the 20th Century
—Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–90) English Journalist, Author, Media Personality, Satirist
It is illegal in England to state in print that a wife can and should derive sexual pleasure from intercourse
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Of the delights of this world, man cares most for sexual intercourse. He will go to any length for it-risk fortune, character, reputation, life itself.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation. The other eight are unimportant.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
Sex without love is merely healthy exercise.
—Robert A. Heinlein (1907–88) American Science Fiction Writer
The ability to make love frivolously is the chief characteristic which distinguishes human beings from the beasts.
—Heywood Hale Broun (1918–2001) American Journalist, Commentator, Actor
The pleasure of living and the pleasure of the orgasm are identical. Extreme orgasm anxiety forms the basis of the general fear of life.
—Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957) Austrian Psychoanalyst
We do not go to bed in single pairs; even if we choose not to refer to them, we still drag there with us the cultural impedimenta of our social class, our parents lives, our bank balances, our sexual and emotional expectations, our whole biographies—all the bits and pieces of our unique existences.
—Angela Carter (1940–92) English Novelist
Sex relieves tension – love causes it.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
Sex is the mysticism of materialism and the only possible religion in a materialistic society.
—Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–90) English Journalist, Author, Media Personality, Satirist
A Rescuer isn’t always a person. Addictions to alcohol or drugs, sexual addiction, workaholism—all the ways we numb out—can rescue the Victim from feeling his or her own feelings.
—David Emerald
For once you must try not to shirk the facts: mankind is kept alive by bestial acts.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
Sex without love is a meaningless experience, but as far as meaningless experiences go its pretty damn good.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
Sex appeal is fifty percent what you’ve got and fifty percent what people think you’ve got.
—Sophia Loren (b.1934) Italian Actor
There are very few jobs that actually require a penis or vagina. All other jobs should be open to everybody.
—Florynce Kennedy (1916–2000) American Lawyer, Civil Rights Leader, Feminist, Activist
Sex between a man and a woman can be absolutely wonderful – provided you get between the right man and the right woman.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
Some people are better imagined in one’s bed than found there in the morning.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist