Civilization is an active deposit which is formed by the combustion of the Present with the Past. Neither in countries without a Present nor in those without a Past is it to be discovered.

Fallen leaves lying on the grass in the November sun bring more happiness than the daffodils.

Green leaves on a dead tree is our epitaph-green leaves, dear reader, on a dead tree.

There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.

We may assume that we keep people waiting symbolically because we do not wish to see them and that our anxiety is due not to being late, but to having to see them at all.

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.

No city should be too large for a man to walk out of in a morning.

The true index of a man's character is the health of his wife.

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbours will say.

While thoughts exist, words are alive and literature becomes an escape, not from, but into living.

All charming people have something to conceal, usually their total dependence on the appreciation of others.

You have to imagine things before you can do them. Stories help us see.

Again and again I will suffer; again and again I will get back on my feet. I will not be defeated.

In my opinion, a problem derails your life and an inconvenience is not being able to get a nice seat on the un-derailed train.

These big questions: Who are we? Where are we? What are we doing here? They never ask that in the mainstream. They just leave that to religions to divert people off into rigid belief systems.

Wit is the god of moments, but Genius is the god of ages.

God knows the mess we’re in when He calls us. His light shines greater through “cracked pots” than it does through those who have it all together.

My favorite thing about being a father is just seeing my kids grow and do some of the same things that I did when I was a kid, man.

Who is the descendant of the slavemasters a descendant of slaves to fight other people in thier own country?

I believe framing reality is one of the only ways we can ever be sure it actually exists. In that regard, I feel as though I'm still learning who I am as an artist.

In short, if you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don’t see it, don’t read it, don’t participate.