I've come to look upon death the same way I look upon root-canal work. Everyone else seems to get through it all right, so it couldn't be too difficult for me.

All through the night, men looked at the sky and were saddened by the stars.

Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?

Every writer I know has trouble writing.

They're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly. No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried. Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked. They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered. "They're trying to kill everyone." And what difference does that make?

When I look up, I see people cashing in. I don't see heaven or saints or angels. I see people cashing in on every decent impulse and every human tragedy.

I can't start writing until I have a closing line.