The ocean was one of the greatest things he had ever seen in his life—bigger and deeper than anything he had imagined. It changed its color and shape and expression according to time and place and weather. It aroused a deep sadness in his heart, and at the same time it brought his heart peace and comfort.

In dreams begins responsiblities.

Like a Chinese box, the world of the novel contained smaller worlds, and inside those were yet smaller worlds. Together, these worlds made up a single universe, and the universe waited there in the book to be discovered by the reader.

There's a special feeling you get on a veranda that you just can't get anywhere else.

There are lots of things we never understand, no matter how many years we put on, no matter how much experience we accumulate.

This may be the most important proposition revealed by history: At the time, no one knew what was coming.

Writing talent is similar to the art of chatting up a girl. You can improve to a certain degree through practice, but basically you are either born with it or you aren't.