There is an understandable vindictiveness in people who come from Communist countries. They want to keep telling us that we were fools to think that we could make radical changes in our society. Though I understand their dismay, respect their suffering and don't understand the gullibility of some people who don't take in how repressive these societies are, I still think it's important to keep people of all kinds as active in civic matters as possible.

The single most amazing phenomenon is the discrediting of idealism.

A photograph is not only an image (as a painting is an image), an interpretation of the real; it is also a trace, something directly stenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask.

Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year's prayer, not a resolution. I'm praying for courage.

My ignorance is not charming.

Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art.

The writer is either a practicing recluse or a delinquent, guilt-ridden one--or both. Usually both.