Interpretation, based on the highly dubious theory that a work of art is composed of items of content, violates art. It makes art into an article for use, for arrangement into a mental scheme of categories.

In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.

All great art contains at its center contemplation, a dynamic contemplation.

The young-old polarization and the male-female polarization are perhaps the two leading stereotypes that imprison people.

The quality of American life is an insult to the possibilities of human growth... the pollution of American space, with gadgetry and cars and TV and box architecture, brutalizes the senses, making gray neurotics of most of us, and perverse spiritual athletes and strident self-transcenders of the best of us.

The writer must be four people: 1) The nut, the obsede 2) The moron 3) The stylist 4) The critic. 1 supplies the material; 2 lets it come out; 3 is taste; 4 is intelligence.

The truth of history crowds out the truth of fiction - as if one were obliged to choose between them.