You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary. But the stars neither require nor demand it.

In literary history, generation follows generation in a rage.

If we were to judge nature by common sense or likelihood, we wouldn't believe the world existed.

For all the insularity of the old guard, Pittsburgh was always an open and democratic town.

Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you.

The way you live your days is the way you live your life.

No child on earth was ever meant to be ordinary, and you can see it in them, and they know it, too, but then the times get to them, and the wear out their brains learning what folks expect, and spend their strength trying to rise over those same folks.