Music is the sole art which evokes nostalgia for the future.

Greatness is not the effect of which inspiration is the cause. We are all inspired, but we are all not great.

If asked to list my ten favorite American fiction writers, Gail Godwin would be among them. In this, her latest . . . she evokes in a short book the long married life of two artists. Evenings at Five is a strong tale of love-after-death.

There are no fascinating people, only their works are fascinating.

Arguably, no artist grows up: If he sheds the perceptions of childhood, he ceases being an artist.

Perfection is no more a requisite to art than to heroes. Frigidaires are perfect. Beauty limps. My frigidaire has had to be replaced.

Nothing is a waste that makes a memory.