I know from the middle distance I give off the look of being prolific, which is a funny compliment to receive.

By the way, the secret of speaking French is confidence. Whether you are right or wrong, you don't hesitate.

We use books like mirrors, gazing into them only to discover ourselves.

The problem for me is that reading is, I won't say a sacred, but nevertheless a pretty serious act.

That wine drinking is more effete than beer drinking? No question.

Culture means, I think, that you have widened your experience enough through reading and through being a little bit thoughtful about these things that it has changed your outlook in some ways. And not necessarily made you a better human being but made you see things.

One serious drawback about letters is that, in order to get them, one must send some out. When it comes to the mail, I feel it is better to receive than to give.