People must be protected from prejudice against their person. But people cannot be protected from prejudice against their ideas - because otherwise we're all done.

What I've always seen in writers and artists is the courage it takes to make an original work of art. I think the real risks in literature are linguistic and intellectual, and I hope we can highlight those, as well as political courage.

If the creative artist worries if he will still be free tomorrow, then he will not be free today.

I do have a lot of time for people in my life, and friendship is a very important subject for me. I think I'm unusual among the writers I know in that respect.

The First Amendment defends all forms of speech including hate speech, which is why groups like Ku Klux Klan are allowed to utter their poisonous remarks.

What you were is forever who you are.

All names mean something.