War and Peace maddens me because I didn't write it myself, and worse, I couldn't.

The popularity of an individual in life often only manifests itself in death.

I wrote a million words in the first year, and I could never have done that outside of prison.

Chatterers are a menace.

I'm not taking any interest in politics. I'm not involved in politics in any way. My life is in writing now.

I'm vulgar, I'm a populist. But isn't that what the mayor should be?

Energy plus talent and you are a king, energy and no talent and you are still a prince, talent and no energy and you are a pauper