if it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it. unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it.

The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it

Each person is only given so many evenings and each wasted evening is a gross violation against the natural course of your only life.

a good book can make an almost impossible existence, liveable ( from 'the luck of the word' )

What were you going to do tonight?" "I was going to listen to the songs of Rachmaninoff." "Who's that?" "A dead Russian.

Dog is much admired by Man because he believes in the hand which feeds him. A perfect set-up. For 13 cents a day you've got a hired killer who thinks you are god. A dog can't tell a Nazi from a Republican from a Commie from a Democrat and, many times, neither can I.

I guess for me Hemingway is a lot like it is for others: he goes down well when we are young.