The dead are dead but they rely on us to fulfill their hopes.

Creative geniuses are a slap-happy lot. Treat Them with respect.

A nation becomes what its young people read in their youth. Its ideals are fashioned then, its goals strongly determined.

Being goal-oriented instead of self-oriented is crucial. I know so many people who want to be writers. But let me tell you, they really don't want to be writers. They want to have been writers. They wish they had a book in print. They don't want to go through the work of getting the damn book out. There is a huge difference.

Things are going to go wrong, and I think we are false to life if we don’t portray it. But there is also the hope that some lucky clown is going to come along and stumble into the gold mine. And I think you are also entitled to hold out that hope.

Never forget, son, when you represent Texas, always go first class.

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.