Life cannot be cut off quickly. One cannot be dead until the things he changed are dead. His effect is the only evidence of his life. While there remains even a plaintive memory, a person cannot be cut off, dead. And he thought, “It’s a long slow process for a human to die. We kill a cow, and it is dead as soon as the meat is eaten, but a man’s life dies as a commotion in a still pool dies, in little waves, spreading and growing back toward stillness.

He had an idea that even when beaten he could steal a little victory by laughing at defeat.

Men who have created new fruits in the world cannot create a system whereby those fruits may be eaten.

Like most passionate nations, Texas has its own history based on, but not limited by, facts.

I think bullfights are for men who aren't very brave and wish they were. If you saw one you'll know what I mean. Remember after all the cape work when the bull tries to kill something that isn't there? Remember how he gets confused and uneasy, sometimes just stands and looks for an answer? Well, then they have to give him a horse or his heart will break. He has to get his horns into something solid or his spirit dies. Well, I'm that horse. And that's the kind of men I get, confused and puzzled. If they can get a horn into me, that's a little triumph.

We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.

I have written a great many stories and I still don't know how to go about it except to write it and take my chances.