Everything in a story should be credible.

Genius is fine for the ignition spark, but to get there someone has to see that the radiator doesn't leak and no tire is flat.

You can't dance cheerfully. Dancing is too important. It can be wild or solemn or gay or lewd or art for art's sake, but it can't be cheerful.

The Glass Key is better than anything Hemingway ever wrote

Wolfe scowled at her. I could see he was torn with conflicting emotions. A female in his kitchen was an outrage. A woman criticizing his or Fritz's cooking was an insult. But corned beef hash was one of life's toughest problems, never yet solved by anyone.

I don't approve of open fires. You can't think, or talk or even make love in front of a fireplace. All you can do is stare at it.

What the tongue has promised, the body must submit to.