My old coach used to say that if you were in it for the match, if you were in it for the trophies, you were in it for the wrong reasons.

Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer. (a train)

Religious freedom should work two ways: we should be free to practice the religion of our choice, but we must also be free from having someone else's religion practiced on us.

The way you define yourself as a writer is that you write every time you have a free minute. If you didn't behave that way you would never do anything.

Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.

Grant us safe lodging, and holy rest,” Mrs. Grogan was saying, “and peace at last.” Amen, thought Wilbur Larch, the Saint of St. Cloud’s, who was seventy-something, and an ether addict, and who felt that he’d come a long way and still had a long way to go.

Being afraid you'll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything.