There are many women whose lives would be immeasurably improved by widowhood, but one should not always point that out.

We think the world is ours forever, but we are little more than squatters.

I've also long since realized that the way to really engage children is to give out prizes; it's amazing how it concentrates their minds.

Every novel presents a slice of life. A noir policier for example presents one slice, one that perhaps addresses social dysfunction or some sort of pathology, while mine present a slice that is more upbeat and affirmative.

Lou knew that joy unshared was a halved emotion, just as sadness and loss, when borne alone, were often doubled.

The Culture of Complaint... We live in a culture of complaint because everyone is always looking for things to complain about. It's all tied in with the desire to blame others for misfortunes and to get some form of compensation into the bargain.

The good were worthy of note because they battled and that battle was a great story, whereas the evil were evil because of moral laziness, or weakness, and that was ultimately a dull and uninteresting affair.