American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.

There's no such thing as a war against terrorism. It's idiotic. These are slogans. These are lies. It's advertising, which is the only art form we ever invented and developed.

In writing and politicking, it's best not to think about it, just do it.

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

Monotheism is easily the greatest disaster to befall the human race.

Altruism is a brief phase through which some adolescents must pass. It is rather like acne. Happily, as with acne, only a few are permanently scarred.

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