To be a social success, do not act pathetic, arrogant, or bored. Do not discuss your unhappy childhood, your visit to the dentist,the shortcomings of your cleaning woman, the state of your bowels, or your spouse's bad habits. You will be thought a paragon (or perhaps a monster) of good behavior.

Like love, grief fades in and out.

Some crave grief like strong drink.

Rage is exciting, but leaves me confused and exhausted.

The beginning, middle, and end are parodied, reversed, and hidden by modernism, but not abandoned.

Truth can remain silent. Lies must be spoken.

There are different rules for reading, for thinking, and for talking. Writing blends all three of them.