We have two lives, the life we learn with and the life we live with after that. Suffering is what brings us toward happiness.

You write by sitting down and writing. There's no particular time or place—you suit yourself, your nature. How one works, assuming he's disciplined, doesn't matter.

One's fantasy goes for a walk and returns with a bride.

Space plus whatever you feel equals more whatever you feel, marvelous for happiness, God save you otherwise.

The short story packs a self in a few pages predicating a lifetime

To any writer: Teach yourself to work in uncertainty. Many writers are anxious when they begin, or try something new. Even Matisse painted some of his Fauvist pictures in anxiety. Maybe that helped him to simplify. Character, discipline, negative capability count. Write, complete, revise. If it doesn't work, begin something else.

Of course it would cost something, but he was an expert in cutting corners; and when there were no more corners left he would make circles rounder.