Christianity is a strangely cheery religion.

To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life and this is a softness that ends in bitterness.

I never understand how writers can succumb to vanity - what you work the hardest on is usually the worst.

When you can state the theme of a story, when you can separate it from the story itself, then you can be sure the story is not a very good one.

On the subject of the feminist business, I just never think...of qualities which are specifically feminine or masculine. I suppose I divide people into two classes: the Irksome and the Non-Irksome without regard to sex. Yes and there are the Medium Irksome and the Rare Irksome.

Later he saw Jesus move from tree to tree in the back of his mind, a wild ragged figure motioning him to turn around and come off into the dark where he might be walking on the water and not know it and then suddenly know it and drown.

Dear God, I don't want to have invented my faith to satisfy my weakness. I don't want to have created God to my own image as they're so fond of saying. Please give me the necessary grace, oh Lord, and please don't let it be as hard to get as Kafka made it.