When I had finished the book I knew that no matter what Scott did, nor how he behaved, I must know it was like a sickness and be of any help I could to him and try to be a good friend. He had many good, good friends, more than anyone I knew. But I enlisted as one more, whether I could be of any use to him or not. If he could write a book as fine as The Great Gatsby I was sure that he could write an even better one. I did not know Zelda yet, and so I did not know the terrible odds that were against him. But we were to find them out soon enough.

I never had to choose a subject - my subject rather chose me.

Just as, with the radio, there are certain things that you become fond of,and you welcome them and resent the new things

I wish I could write well enough to write about aircraft. Faulkner did it very well in Pylon but you cannot do something someone else has done though you might have done it if they hadn't.

I suppose if a man has something once, always something of it remains.

You write a book like that you're fond of over the years, then you see that happen to it, it's like pissing in your father's beer.

Wine ... offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be purchased.