Most writers write books that they wouldn't read. I ought to know; I've done it myself.

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.

We have been at war almost constantly since the last century. And it has not helped our institutions. Congress no longer represents the people. The courts do not practice justice any more. The armies never stop playing at being the policemen of the world and of oil.

Everybody has two legs, two lobes to the brain which is why we tend to be interested in symmetry, always balancing things.

We're the most captive nation of slaves that ever came along. The moral timidity of the average American is quite noticeable. Everybody's afraid to be thought in any way different from everyone else.

Fifty percent of people won't vote, and fifty percent don't read newspapers. I hope it's the same fifty percent.

The real writer learns nothing from life. He is more like an oyster or a sponge.