We need more true mystery in our lives Hem- he said. The completely unambitious writer and the really good unpublished poem are the things we lack most. There is of course the problem of sustenance

Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure only death can stop it. Financial security then is a great help as it keeps you from worrying.

The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.

Most people are heartless about turtles because a turtle's heart will beat for hours after he has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, I have such a heart too and my feet and hands are like theirs.

No; that doesn't interest me.' 'That's because you never read a book about it.

You could omit anything if you knew that the omitted part would strengthen the short story and make people feel something more than they understood

Everything you have is to give. Thou art a phenomenon of philosophy and an unfortunate man.