What did Jesus say to the headwaiter at the Last Supper? 'Separate checks, please.'

There are no vacant lots in nature.

Men come and go, cities rise and fall, whole civilizations appear and disappear-the earth remains, slightly modified. The earth remains, and the heartbreaking beauty where there are no hearts to break....I sometimes choose to think, no doubt perversely, that man is a dream, thought an illusion, and only rock is real. Rock and sun.

I am happy to be a regional writer. My region is the American West, old Mexico, West Virginia, New York, Europe, Australia, the human heart, and the male groin.

Doctrines like Christianity or Islam or Marxism require unanimity of belief. One dissenter casts doubt on the creed of millions.

The best argument for Christianity is the Gregorian chant. Listening to that music, one can believe anything -- while the music lasts.

The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.