California is a queer place in a way, it has turned its back on the world, and looks into the void Pacific. It is absolutely selfish, very empty, but not false, and at least, not full of false effort.

I like to write when I feel spiteful; it's like having a good sneeze.

The word arse is as much god as the word face. It must be so, otherwise you cut off your god at the waist.

To every man who struggles with his own soul in mystery, a book that is a book flowers once, and seeds, and is gone.

Imitate the magnificent trees that speak no word of their rapture, but only breathe largely the luminous breeze.

The true self is not aware that it is a self. A bird, as it sings, sings itself. But not according to a picture. It has no idea of itself.

The novel is the highest example of subtle interrelatedness that man has discovered.