A character who is thought-out is not born, he or she is contrived. A born character is round, a thought-out character is flat.

I love books, food, music, sleep, people who work, heated arguments, the United States of America, and my wife and children. I dislike politicians, preachers, genteel persons, people who do not work or are on vacation, closed minds, movies, loud noises, and oiliness.

The trouble with an alarm clock is that what seems sensible when you set it seems absurd when it goes off

I have never regarded myself as this or that. I have been too busy being myself to bother about regarding myself.

I have a strong moral sense - by my standards.

In a world that operates largely at random, coincidences are to be expected, but any one of them must always be mistrusted.

To read of a detective's daring finesse or ingenious stratagem is a rare joy.