A man should be able to hear, and to bear, the worst that could be said of him.

O Lord! he concluded, forgive all these trespasses. Lead me not into Penn Station.

You're all alone when you're a writer. Sometimes you just feel you need a humanity bath. Even a ride on the subway will do that. But it's much more interesting to talk about books. After all, that's what life used to be for writers: they talk books, politics, history, America. Nothing has replaced that.

I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos.

We are funny creatures. We don't see the stars as they are, so why do we love them? They are not small gold objects, but endless fire.

With one long breath, caught and held in his chest, he fought his sadness over his solitary life. Don't cry, you idiot! Live or die, but don't poison everything.

Conquered people tend to be witty.