Between Malraux, Balzac, and Montaigne, I choose Montaigne. Montaigne will survive all the others, because the essay, meaning direct communication between the writer and his reader, will outlast the novel, by at least a thousand years.

The most interesting thing about writing is the way that it obliterates time. Three hours seem like three minutes.

Before the cards that one is dealt by life are the cards that fate has dealt: one's family.

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

The whole point to American journalism is what ought to be true is true.

Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.

It is curious how often one prefers his enemies to his friends.