The smartest people in Indianapolis became teachers [during the Great Depression]. And, for once, there was something for women to do because teaching was regarded as a woman's profession, like nursing. So the smartest women in town - Jesus, my women teachers were so exciting.

How important my books are or anybody's books are, I don't know. I don't think they are terribly important I think that they make people contented during the period they are reading them and this is worth something is to take care of somebody for a couple of hours.

Son--they say there isn't any royalty in this country, but do you want me to tell you how to be king of the United States of America? Just fall through the hole in a privy and come out smelling like a rose.

People aren’t supposed to look back. I’m certainly not going to do it anymore.

To be is to do - Socrates To do is to be - Sartre Do Be Do Be Do - Sinatra

People need good lies. There are too many bad ones.

The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow.