#henry miller
— Henry Miller, A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin & Henry Miller, 1932-1953
Henry Miller, lettera ad Anaïs Nin, 7 giugno 1932
“Anaïs, non so come dirti ciò che provo. Vivo in un perenne stato di attesa. Arrivi, e il tempo vola come in un sogno. È solo quando te ne vai che mi rendo davvero conto della tua presenza. E allora è troppo tardi. Tu mi instupidisci.”
Henry Miller, lettera ad Anaïs Nin, 21 marzo 1932
… excuse the absence of salutation. I haven’t yet learned to call you by your first name, and Miss Nin sounds so stiff, like an invitation to tea. I should like to say simply Anaïs, but it takes time.
—Henry Miller, Letter to Anaïs Nin, Thursday February 4, 1932
I have never been able to look upon America as young and vital but rather as prematurely old, as a fruit which rotted before it had a chance to ripen. The word which gives the key to the national vice is waste. And people who are wasteful are not wise, neither can they remain young and vigorous. In order to transmute energy to higher and more subtle levels one must first conserve it. The prodigal is soon spent, a victim of the very forces he has so foolishly and recklessly toyed with.
—Henry Miller, The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
Henry Miller born on this day
“I need to be alone. I need to ponder my shame and my despair in seclusion; I need the sunshine and the paving stones of the streets without companions, without conversation, face to face with myself, with only the music of my heart for company.”
I don’t know where to hide my rage.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
What belongs to me is mind and nothing can take it from me.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I want to be harsh now—in order to liberate you.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
These things are bridges to something. But it must be a firm bridge. Otherwise there’s no crossing.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I am amazed at my own selfishness.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
Tear it all down, if you like, and build anew. But don’t give up—because this is a test.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I can take death as I have taken life.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I could have killed her—and I know she felt likewise.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
And now I am angry. I want to stay and see it out to the bitter end. I’ve done what I thought was kind and just. If that doesn’t appeal then I’ll use harsher methods.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I will face anything that’s coming to me—and there may be worse to face.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
It is as though you were repeating this story of creation.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
though I know I dreamed violently.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
No, don’t you kneel to me—it is you who are great, and I am just a sort of reflection, a light you had kindled.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I can’t see how I can go on living away from you—these intermissions are death.
Henry Miller, from A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953
I won’t tolerate any drama, nor any compromise. I’m going to keep on being myself now that I’ve found myself. Is it clear?
Henry Miller,A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953