A writer should concern himself with whatever absorbs his fancy, stirs his heart, and unlimbers his typewriter. ... A writer has the duty to be good, not lousy: true, not false; lively, not dull; accurate, not full of error. He should tend to lift people up, not lower them down.

Although there is no substitute for merit in writing, clarity comes closest to being one.

Necessity first mothered invention. Now invention has little ones of her own, and they look just like grandma.

You're terrific as far as I am concerned.

In the nature of things, a person engaged in the flimsy business of expressing himself on paper is dependent on the large general privilege of being heard. Any intimation that this privilege may be revoked throws a writer into panic.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.

It isn't silence you can cut with a knife any more, it's interchange of ideas. Intelligent discussion of practically everything is what is breaking up modern marriage.