Sport is a seductive metaphor (life as a game in which we gain victory through hard work, discipline, and visualizing success). but the older metaphor of farming (life as hard labor that is subject to weather and quirks of blind fate and may return no reward whatsoever and don't be surprised) is still in our blood.

Bad things don't happen to writers; it's all material.

When you wage war on the public schools, you're attacking the mortar that holds the community together. You're not a conservative, you're a vandal.

A good newspaper is never nearly good enough but a lousy newspaper is a joy forever.

I'm a lucky guy. I get to sit around every day and indulge in make believe and get paid for it.

I usually don't work with other people; I do the whole show myself.

Intelligence is like four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.