What must novel dialogue . . . really be and do? It must be pointed, intentional, relevant. It must crystallize situation. It must express character. It must advance plot. During dialogue, the characters confront one another. The confrontation is in itself an occasion. Each one of these occasions, throughout the novel, is unique.

Wariness had driven away poetry; from hesitating to feel came the moment when you no longer could.

nothing is more restful than conformity.

Nobody can be kinder than the narcissist while you react to life in his own terms.

I can't see or feel the conflict between love and religion. To me, they're the same thing.

The best that an individual can do is to concentrate on what he or she can do, in the course of a burning effort to do it better.

life is a succession of readjustments.