The other American divisions on our flanks managed to pull out: We were obliged to stay and fight. Bayonets aren't much good against tanks.

Did you ever admire an empty-headed writer for his or her mastery of the language? No. So your own winning style must begin with ideas in your head.

I'm not a drug salesman. I'm a writer." "What makes you think a writer isn't a drug salesman?

If people insist on living as if there's no tomorrow, there really won't be one.

Praise or damn as you please, but do so rather flatly, pragmatically, with cunning attention to annoying or gratifying details. Be yourself. Be unique. Be a good editor. The Universe needs more good editors, God knows.

We are all experiments in enthusiasms, narrow and preordained.

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