Bless me, Father, for I have sinned, it's been a minute since my last confession.

I am teaching. Storytelling is teaching

I admire certain priests and nuns who go off on their own and do God's work on their own, who help in the ghettos, but as far as the institution of the church is concerned, I think it is despicable.

I had no accomplishments except surviving. But that isn't enough in the community where I came from, because everybody was doing it. So I wasn't prepared for America, where everybody is glowing with good teeth and good clothes and food.

You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.

If you were mean to your parents, they'd give you a good belt in the gob and send you flying across the room.

I know that big people don't like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How's school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.