The arrogance of the artist is a very profound thing, and it fortifies you.

You don't fight to protect warships or old men. Like the book says, you fight to save your civilization. And so often it seems that civilization is composed mainly of the things women and children want.

I had learned volleyball in the Navy, where all the captains and admirals wanted to be spikers, and I found then that a man who can subdue his own desires and master the art of serving others can make himself invaluable. In choosing sides the team captain always chose the good spikers on the first and second choice, but then the spikers would grab his arm and whisper, 'Take Michener.' I was never chosen lower than third, because I was needed. I wasn't good, but I was faithful.

I think young people ought to seek the experience that is going to knock them off center.

There are no insoluble problems. Only time-consuming ones.

No idea is ever dead until those who believe in it say it's dead.

Religious hatreds ought not to be propagated at all, but certainly not on a tax-exempt basis.