Anyone who survives a southern childhood has enough material to last a lifetime.

I am no disbeliever in spiritual purpose and no vague believer. I see from the standpoint of Christian orthodoxy. This means that for me the meaning of life is centered in our Redemption by Christ and what I see in the world I see in relation to that.

We lost our innocence in the Fall, and our turn to it is through the Redemption which was brought about by Christ's death and by our slow participation in it. Sentimentality is a skipping of this process in its concrete reality and an early arrival at a mock state of innocence, which strongly suggests its opposite.

You have to quit confusing a madness with a mission.

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

In my travels I am often asked if college stifles young writers. In my opinion, it doesn't stifle them enough.

You will have found Christ when you are concerned with other people’s sufferings and not your own.