The first and most important thing of all, at least for writers today, is to strip language clean, to lay it bare down to the bone.

In the spring mornings I would work early while my wife still slept. The windows were open wide and the cobbles of the street were drying after the rain.

Imagination? It is the one thing beside honesty that a good writer must have. The more he learns from experience the more he can imagine.

My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.

And you treat me wonderfully and keep all your promises.

Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.

God knows I didn't mean to fall in love with her