Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

We have never understood why men mount the heads of animals and hang them up to look down on their conquerers. Possibly it feels good to these men to feel superior to animals, but does it not seem that if they were sure of it they would not have to prove it? Often a man who is afraid must constantly demonstrate his courage and, in the case of the hunter, must keep a tangible record of his courage.

There are places in this world where fable, myth, preconception, love, longing or prejudice step in and so distort a cool, clear appraisal that a kind of high colored magical confusion takes permanent hold...Surely Texas is such a place.

I'll want to hear,' Samuel said. 'I eat stories like grapes.

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.

Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there.

Lennie said quietly, "It ain't no lie. We're gonna do it. Gonna get a little place an' live on the fatta the lan'.