Writing when you are already very old means you have lived through the endings of so many things, you are more aware of the shape life takes. You begin to know Death, you've been close to it. But youth can barely imagine the end of this journey.

Which other major religion is based on the Godhead incarnate being whipped, tacked to a cross, stabbed? Only the Marquis de Sade could have made up a sicker religion. It's no wonder that those brought up in such a culture hate life and enjoy inflicting pain. All societies are sick but some are sicker than others. Christian societies are certainly the sickest.

My family helped start [this country], we've been in political life ... since the 1690s, and I have a very possessive sense about this country.

I was never my own type so I completely missed my beauty all through my youth.

For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.

To hear two American men congratulating each other on being heterosexual is one of the most chilling experiences - and unique to the United States. You don't hear two Italians sitting around complimenting each other because they actually like to go to bed with women. The American is hysterical about his manhood.

I never reread a text until I have finished the first draft. Otherwise it's too discouraging.