All writing, all art, is an act of faith. If one tries to contribute to human understanding, how can that be called decadent? It's like saying a declaration of love is an act of decadence. Any work of art, provide it springs from a sincere motivation to further understanding between people, is an act of faith and therefore is an act of love.

I don't care what anybody says about me as long as it isn't true.

I feel that all a writer has is his own experience.

Some cities, like wrapped boxes under Christmas trees, conceal unexpected gifts, secret delights. Some cities will always remain wrapped boxes, containers of riddles never to be solved, nor even to be seen by vacationing visitors, or, for that matter, the most inquisitive, persistent travelers.

And since gin to artifice bears the same relation as tears to mascara, her attractions at once dissembled.

you got to want it to be good, and I don't want it.

When God hands you a gift, he also hands you a whip; and the whip is intended for self-flagellation solely.