I'm not a fast thinker, but once I am interested in something, I am doing it for many years.

Writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity.

Let the world move along as it pleased. If it had any business with him, it would be sure to tell him.

Having an object that symbolizes freedom might make a person happier than actually getting the freedom it represents.

Even when I ran my bar I followed the same policy. A lot of customers came to the bar. If one in ten enjoyed the place and said he'd come again, that was enough. If one out of ten was a repeat customer, then the business would survive. To put it another way, it didn't matter if nine out of ten didn't like my bar. This realization lifted a weight off my shoulders. Still, I had to make sure that the one person who did like the place.

Closing your eyes isn't going to change anything. Nothing's going to disappear just because you can't see what's going on. In fact, things will even be worse the next time you open your eyes. That's the kind of world we live in. Keep your eyes wide open. Only a coward closes his eyes. Closing your eyes and plugging up your ears won't make time stand still.

A theory is a battlefield in your head.