No reform ever came from the bottom, and it was always people who understood how the ruling class worked who turned out to be the reformers.

I don't think contemporary writers spend a lot of time reading each other. Particularly writers of the same nationality.

Of course, it is possible for any citizen with time to spare, and a canny eye, to work out what is actually going on, but for the many there is not time, and the network news is the only news even though it may not be news at all but only a series of flashing fictions.

I might become an ascetic, live in India. A little rice is about the best I can do now.

The American vice is explanation.

All Americans born between 1890 and 1945 wanted to be movie stars.

For true happiness, it is not enough to be successful oneself . . . one's friends must fail.