What we seek, at the deepest level, is inwardly to resemble, rather than physically to possess, the objects and places that touch us through their beauty.

There is always the option of being emotionally lazy, that is, of quoting.

A simple problem of arithmetic: there are far more ambitions than there are grand destinies available.

Literature deeply stands opposed to the dominant value system-the one that rewards money and power. Writers are on the other side-they make us sympathetic to ideas and feelings that are of deep importance but can’t afford airtime in a commercialized, status-consciou s, and cynical world.

Those who divorce aren't necessarily the most unhappy, just those neatly able to believe their misery is caused by one other person.

Objectively good spaces to work rarely end up being so; in their faultlessness, quiet and well-equipped studios have a habit of rendering the fear of failure overwhelming. Original thoughts are like shy animals. We sometimes have to look the other way - towards a busy street or terminal - before they run out of their burrows.

There is a devilishly direct relationship between the significance of an idea and how nervous we become at the prospect of having to think about it.