During my lifetime I have met dozens of writers and photographers in dozens of different countries. But I have encountered no one who could both write and photograph with the artistry of Robert Vavra.

I've spent my life trying to be better than I was, and I am a brother to all who share the same aspiration.

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

I don’t know who my parents were. I know nothing about my inheritance. I could be Jewish; I could be part Negro; I could be Irish; I could be Russian. I am spiritually a mix anyway, but I did have a solid childhood fortunately, because of some wonderful women who brought me up. I never had a father or a man in the house, and that was a loss...

If I were a young man, I would not hesitate at writing anything to get into print, except pornography.

First buy a cowboy hat and boots. Then you're on your way to being a Texan.

I was surprised when shortly after New Year's Day of 1983, the Governor of Texas summoned me to his office, because I hadn't been aware that he knew I was in town.