In a sense sickness is a place, more instructive than a long trip to Europe, and it's always a place where there's no company, where nobody can follow. Sickness before death is a very appropriate thing and I think those who don't have it miss one of God's mercies.

I suppose half of writing is overcoming the revulsion you feel when you sit down to it.

The novelist is required to open his eyes on the world around him and look. If what he sees is not highly edifying, he is still required to look. Then he is required to reproduce, with words, what he sees.

Policy and politics generally go contrary to principle.

It is better to be young in your failures than old in your successes.

When she told a story, she rolled her eyes and waved her head and was very dramatic.

Go warn the children of God of the terrible speed of mercy.