The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.

So much there is to see, but our morning eyes describe a different world than do our afternoon eyes, and surely our wearied evening eyes can report only a weary evening world.

I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature.

I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

Act out being alive, like a play. And after a while, a long while, it will be true.

Such is the prestige of the Nobel Award and of this place where I stand that I am impelled, not to speak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion out of pride in my profession and in the great and good men who have practised it through the ages.

I know a little bit about a great many things and not enough about any one to make a living in these times.