The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers is because we need witnesses to this terrifying century.

The act of composition is a series of discoveries.

The theory of the teacher with all these immigrant kids was that if you spoke English loudly enough they would eventually understand.

Like art and politics, gangsterism is a very important avenue of assimilation into society.

I have committed many sins in my life. This precise sin-the sin against poets-is without absolution.

The difference between Socrates and Jesus is that no one had ever been put to death in Socrates' name. And that is because Socrates' ideas were never made law. Law, in whatever name, protects privilege.

I can walk into a bookstore and hand over my credit card and they don't know who the hell I am. Maybe that says something about bookstore clerks.