Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes regularly, when he gets down to the real business of his life, it is he and his type writer or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter.

However much the creationist leaders might hammer away at their scientific and philosophical points, they would be helpless and a laughing-stock if that were all they had. It is religion that recruits their squadrons. Tens of millions of Americans, who neither know nor understand the actual arguments for - of even against - evolution, march in the army of the night, their Bibles held high. And they are a strong and frightening force, impervious to, and immunized against, the feeble lance of mere reason.

Never judge your own writing. You're not fit to do so.

When, however, the lay public rallies round an idea that is denounced by distinguished but elderly scientists and supports that idea with great fervor and emotion - the distinguished but elderly scientists are then, after all, probably right.

The whole world might know you and acclaim you, but someone in the past, forever unreachable, forever unknowing, spoils it all.

The law of conservation of energy tells us we can't get something for nothing, but we refuse to believe it.

When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself.