Obscurity and a competence—that is the life that is best worth living.

I never write Metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city. I never write policeman because I can get the same money for cop.

The truth is a precious commodity. That's why I use it so sparingly.

One of the brightest gems in the New England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it.

The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise.

Yes, always avoid violence. In this age of charity and kindliness, the time has gone by for such things. Leave dynamite to the low and unrefined.

In forgiving, people are not being asked to forget. On the contrary, it is important to remember, so that we should not let such atrocities happen again. Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. It means taking what happened seriously...drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens our entire existence.