The moral duty of the free writer is to begin his work at home: to be a critic of his own community, his own country, his own government, his own culture. The more freedom the writer possesses, the greater the moral obligation to play the role of critic.

Each thing in its way, when true to its own character, is equally beautiful. (p 41)

Whenever I read _Time_ or _Newsweek_ or such magazines, I wash my hands afterward. But how to wash off the small but odious stain such reading leaves on the mind?

The great question of life is not the question of death but the question of life. Fear of death shames us all.

The absurd vanity of metaphysicians who like to imagine that they create the world by thinking about it.

Tee Vee football: one team wins, one team loses -- they tie -- who cares? And why?

One word is worth a thousand pictures. If it's the right word.