The writer in America isn't part of the culture of this country. He's like a fine dog. People like him around, but he's of no use.

Menfolks listens to somebody because of what he says. Women don't. They don't care what he said. They listens because of what he is.

I listen to the voices.

A man. All men. He will pass up a hundred chances to do good for one chance to meddle where meddling is not wanted. He will overlook and fail to see chances, opportunities, for riches and fame and welldoing, and even sometimes for evil. But he won't fail to see a chance to meddle.

Surely heaven must have something of the color and shape of whatever village or hill or cottage of which the believer says, This is my own.

'I never feel the need to discuss my work with anyone. No, I am too busy writing it. It has got to please me and if it does I don't need to talk about it. If it doesn't please me, talking about it won't improve it, since the only thing to improve it is to work on it some more. I am not a literary man but only a writer. I don't get any pleasure from talking shop.

Don Quixote — I read that every year, as some do the Bible.