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.

For misery don't blame God. He gives the food but we cook it.

If you ever forget you are a Jew a goy will remind you.

Some men are by nature explorers; my nature is to stay under the same moon and stars, and if the weather is wet, under the same roof. It's a strange world, why make it stranger?

The idea is to get the pencil moving quickly.

First drafts are for learning what your story is about.

Politics isn't in my nature.