There's only one me, and I'm stuck with him.

There is this thing called the university, and everybody goes there now. And there are these things called teachers who make students read this book with good ideas or that book with good ideas until that's where we get our ideas. We don't think them; we read them in books. I like Utopian talk, speculation about what our planet should be, anger about what our planet is. I think writers are the most important members of society, not just potentially but actually. Good writers must have and stand by their own ideas.

Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.

That is the first thing I know for sure: (1.) If the questions don't make sense, neither will the answers.

What has been America's most nurturing contribution to the culture of this planet so far? Many would say jazz. I, who love jazz, will say this instead: Alcoholics Anonymous.

If I am ever put to death on the hook, expect a very human performance.

I never knew a writer's wife who wasn't beautiful.