The truth is not distorted here, but rather a distortion is used to get at truth.

When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs you do, you can relax and use more normal means of talking to it; when you have to assume that it does not, then you have to make your vision apparent by shock -- to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost-blind you draw large and startling figures.

The old woman was the kind who would not cut down a large old tree because it was a large old tree.

The operation of the Church is entirely set up for the sinner; which creates much misunderstanding among the smug.” (August 9, 1955)

Does one's integrity ever lie in what he is not able to do? I think that usually it does, for free will does not mean one will, but many wills conflicting in one man. Freedom cannot be conceived simply. It is a mystery and one which a novel, even a comic novel, can only be asked to deepen.

The Southerner is usually tolerant of those weaknesses that proceed from innocence.

It began to drizzle rain and he turned on the windshield wipers; they made a great clatter like two idiots clapping in church.