I have read my books by many lights, hoarding their beauty, their wit or wisdom against the dark days when I would have no book, nor a place to read. I have known hunger of the belly kind many times over, but I have known a worse hunger: the need to know and to learn.

Have faith in God but keep your powder dry.

A writer's brain is like a magician's hat. If you're going to get anything out of it, you have to put something in it first.

Education is everywhere, prompting one to think, to consider, to remember.

He never knew when he was whipped ... So he never was.

The wind was cold off the mountains and I was a naked man with enemies behind me, and nothing before me but hope.

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.