When people make a contract with the devil and give him an air-conditioned office to work in, he doesn't go back home easily.

Hackberry Holland's greatest fear was his fellow man's propensity to act collectively, in militaristic lockstep, under the banner of God and country. Mobs did not rush across town to do good deeds, and in Hackberry's view, there was no more odious taint on any social or political endeavor than universal approval.

Then the sun broke above the crest of the hills and the entire countryside looked soaked in blood, the arroyos deep in shadow, the cones of dead volcanoes stark and biscuit-colored against the sky. I could smell pinion trees, wet sage, woodsmoke, cattle in the pastures, and creek water that had melted from snow. I could smell the way the country probably was when it was only a dream in the mind of God.

I feel blessed in the knowledge that I probably belong to the last generation that will remember what we call "traditional America."

The only thing an artist has to remember is to never lose faith in his vision.

Age is a clever thief. It takes a little from you each day, so you're not aware of your loss until it'd irreversible.

Write for the love of your art. Someplace down the road, the money, the fame, they'll come, but by that time you won't be thinking in terms of money or fame.