One can learn anything, anything at all, I thought, if provided by a gifted and passionate teacher.

The safe places could only be visited; they could only grant a momentary intuition of sanctuary. The moment always came when we had to return to our real life to face the wounds and grief indigenous to our homr by the river.

I stood face to face with the moon and the ocean and the future that spread out with all its bewildering immensity before me.

The pursuit of greatness means that laziness has no place in your life.

Writing poetry and reading books causes brain damage.

Good writing ... involves the agony of turning profoundly difficult thoughts into lucid form, then forcing them into the tight-fitting uniform of language, making them visible and clear.

Know this. I think you could be special if you only thought there was anything special about yourself.