Aside from battles, the history of nations seemed to consist of nothing but powerless old poops like myself, heavily medicated and vaguely beloved in the long ago, coming to kiss the boots of young psychopaths.

The world is too serious. To get mad at a work of art-because maybe somebody, somewhere is blowing his stack over what I've done-is like getting mad at a hot fudge sundae.

in nonsense is strength

Well, it's practically over, thank God - I'm 83, there won't be that much more of it to put up with I don't think!

In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me.

You can't just eat good food. You've got to talk about it too.

What war has always been is a puberty ceremony.