The discipline of the written word punishes both stupidity and dishonesty.

Don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

In literary criticism the critic has no choice but to make over the victim of his attention into something the size and shape of himself.

A man without words is a man without thought.

“Do you take pride in your hurt?” Samuel asked. “Does it make you seem large and tragic?” “I don't know.” “Well, think about it. Maybe you're playing a part on a great stage with only yourself as audience.”

The bank - the monster has to have profits all the time. It can't wait. It'll die. No, taxes go on. When the monster stops growing, it dies. It can't stay one size.

So many old and lovely things are stored in the world's attic because we don't want them around us and we don't dare throw them out.