If you don't feel that you are possibly on the edge of humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing, then probably what you are doing isn't very vital.

He was one of those people things came easily to, but he did little to demonstrate that he deserved to be gifted.

Whatever I write, no matter how gray or dark the subject matter, it's still going to be a comic novel.

You can't say you're going to ban something in the name of good taste, because then you have directed someone to play the role of good-taste police. We - Americans - permit bad taste in this country. In fact, we even encourage it.

I don't want you to describe to me—not ever—what you were doing to that poor boy to make him sound like that; but if you ever do it again, please cover his mouth with your hand.

My dear boy, please don’t put a label on me—don’t make me a category before you get to know me!

It is your responsibility to find fault with me, it is mine to hear you out. But don't expect me to change.