A successful artist is inspired by his muse, and his muse is inspired by the payment of a commission.

Always carry with you a little reasonable doubt, should you meet someone who needs to be found innocent.

Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backwards after taking a step forwards is not a disaster. It's a cha-cha.

There are many experts on how things have been done up to now. If you think something could use a little improvement, you are the expert.

Either way, things are a lot better - either a lot better than they were or a lot better than they're going to be.

As you reach for understanding, you find that your ladder of facts isn’t long enough, and you try to extend it by adding a rung of faith. Eventually you see that the task is hopeless, and you put away your ladder of facts and go get a ladder of faith.

At my age, you not only have bittersweet memories, you make bittersweet plans.