Actually we did not have the feelings we said we had until we spoke them--at least I didn't; to phrase them was to invent them and own them.
Philip RothDreams? If only they had been! But I don't need dreams, Doctor, that's why I hardly have themโbecause I have this life instead. With me it all happens in broad daylight!
Philip RothObviously the facts are never just coming at you but are incorporated by an imagination that is formed by your previous experience. Memories of the past are not memories of facts but memories of your imaginings of the facts.
Philip RothNothing has a more sinister effect on art than the artist's desire to prove that he's good. The terrible temptation of idealism! You must achieve mastery over your idealism, over your virtue as well as over your vice, aesthetic mastery over everything that drives you to write in the first place - your outrage, your politics, your grief, your love!
Philip Roth