A writer should be of as great probity and honesty as a priest of God. He is either honest or not, as a woman is either chaste or not, and after one piece of dishonest writing he is never the same again.

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

Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel?

Yes, they have more money.

Listen," I told him. "Don't be so tough so early in the morning. I'm sure you've cut plenty of people's throats. I haven't even had my coffee yet.

Work every day. No matter what has happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail.

I've been wondering about Dostoyevsky. How can a man write so badly, so unbelievably badly, and make you feel so deeply?