It is a miracle that New York works at all. The whole thing is implausible.

Half a man's life is devoted to what he calls improvements, yet the original had some quality which is lost in the process.

The main thing I try to do is write as clearly as I can. I rewrite a good deal to make it clear.

Walden is the only book I own, although there are some others unclaimed on my shelves. Every man, I think, reads one book in his life, and this is mine. It is not the best book I ever encountered, perhaps, but it is for me the handiest, and I keep it about me in much the same way one carries a handkerchief - for relief in moments of defluxion or despair.

It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.

Habitually creative people are prepared to be lucky.

Life is always rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch.