It's impossible to explain to a Yankee what `tacky' is. They simply have no word for it up north, but my God, do they ever need one.

I've never cackled with laughter at a single line I've ever written. None of it has given me pleasure.

Basketball allowed me to revere my father without him knowing what I was up to. I took up basketball as a form of homage and mimicry.

He was one of those rare men who are capable of being fully in love only once in their lives.

My soul found ease and rest in the companionship of books.

In family matters you can get over anything. That's one thing you'll learn as an adult. There's a lot you have to learn which is a lot worse than that. You'd never think of forgiving a friend for some of the things your parents did to you. But with friends it's different. Friends aren't the roll of the dice.

I would always be a better hater of things and institutions than a lover of them.