Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture.

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

Never mistake motive for action.

In order to be a great writer a person must have a built-in, shockproof crap detector.

Failure and well-disguised cowardice are more human and more beloved.

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.

As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.