In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration.

They successfully combined piracy and puritanism, which aren't so unlike when you come right down to it. Both had a strong dislike for opposition and both had a roving eye for other people's property.

It is better to sit in appreciative contemplation of a world in which beauty is eternally supported on a foundation of ugliness: cut out the support, and beauty will sink from sight.

He drank too much when he could get it, ate too much when it was there, talked too much all the time.

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.

And Tom brought him chicken soup until he wanted to kill him. The lore has not died out of the world, and you will still find people who believe that soup will cure any hurt or illness and is no bad thing to have for the funeral either.

Like most modern people, I don't believe in prophecy or magic and then spend half my time practicing it.