egregious. most people think that word means terrible or unheard of or unforgivable. it has a much more interesting story than that to tell. it means "outside the herd." imagine that - thousands of people, outside the herd.

The canary bird in the coal mine theory of the arts: artists should be treasured as alarm systems.

I am better now. Word of honour: I am better now.

I now believe that the only way in which Americans can rise above their ordinariness, can mature sufficiently to rescue themselves and to help rescue their planet, is through enthusiastic intimacy with works of their own imagination.

I pity the Jews trying to get through life with only half a Bible. That's like trying to get from here to San Francisco with a road map that stops at Dubuque, Iowa.

I wish you'd help me look into a more interesting problem - namely, my sanity.

[Ayres] was our city because we were building it. That's how I felt when I walked around town.