[On Dashiell Hammett:] ... he is so hard-boiled you could roll him on the White House lawn.

Every year, back comes Spring, with nasty little birds yapping their fool heads off and the ground all mucked up with plants.

Of course I talk to myself. I like a good speaker, and I appreciate an intelligent audience.

Four things I am wiser to know: Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.

Lady, lady, never start Conversation toward your heart; Keep your pretty words serene; Never murmur what you mean. Show yourself, by word and look, Swift and shallow as a brook. Be as cool and quick to go As a drop of April snow; Be as delicate and gay As a cherry flower in May. Lady, lady, never speak Of the tears that burn your cheek- She will never win him, whose Words had shown she feared to lose. Be you wise and never sad, You will get your lovely lad. Never serious be, nor true, And your wish will come to you- And if that makes you happy, kid, You'll be the first it ever did.

I require only three things of a man. He must be handsome, ruthless and stupid.