But even the most bitter fruit can contain something sweet at its core. A taste you would never have encountered if you had not been willing to endure the bitter first.

Before you look for dirt in people, look for treasure.

I was taught how to walk but I did not master the cheating steps of others.

Chance favors the prepared mind.

I will not fail: God is always victorious.

Belief is a moral act for which the believer is to be held responsible.

There's a big difference between me and a real, legitimate working hand, or a world-champion rodeo cowboy. I play 'em, and I aspire to be like that, but those guys are tough.

I think reading Shakespeare's plays when I was young was extremely important. He had the ability to make utter strangers come alive.

All are friends in heaven, all faithful friends, And many friendships in the days of Time Begun, are lasting there and growing still.

There's some herb that's good for everybody, except for them that thinks they're sick when they ain't.

Louise Gluck, C.K. Williams, Thomas Lux. A lot of the poets that I like are the ones that influenced me as a writer.