As Hegel put it, only when it is dark does the owl of Minerva begin its flight. Only in extinction is the collector comprehend.

Like ultraviolet rays memory shows to each man in the book of life a script that invisibly and prophetically glosses the text.

The more circumspectly you delay writing down an idea, the more maturely developed it will be on surrendering itself.

Of all the ways of acquiring books, writing them oneself is regarded as the most praiseworthy method.

To be happy is to be able to become aware of oneself without fright.

Work on good prose has three steps: a musical stage when it is composed, an architectonic one when it is built, and a textile one when it is woven.

The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope.

Quotations in my work are like wayside robbers who leap out armed and relieve the stroller of his conviction.

There is no document of civilization which is not at the same time a document of barbarism.

The concept of progress must be grounded in the idea of catastrophe. That things are 'status quo' is the catastrophe

All human knowledge takes the form of interpretation.

What turns you on, tunes you in, and lights your fire?

As an actor, I trust my ear.

America's political system has evolved over the last 50 years in ways that have enhanced the power of business lobbies.

You can best reward a liar by believing nothing of what he says.

When you consider how many millions of workdays begin with hangovers great and small, it is mildly ­surprising to find how few real descriptions of the experience our literature can boast.

We do not need to achieve some minimum level or capacity or goodness before God will help - divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience.

People think, "She's just a rich kid." Until I was 18, I was. Then I was broke. I've never taken a dime off my parents. I'm completely self - made.

I have always had an attorney on retainer, and now I believe I will have to put him to work.

I believe we have all been created for greater things than we can comprehend.

I think reading a novel is almost next best to having something to do.