Every country that aspires to become a nation needs its heroes, its eminent civic and moral leaders, and if it doesn't have them, it's our duty to invent them.

Death is a woman, and for that reason she's courageous and just, and never makes distinctions between mortals; she'll crush the ignorant, the arrogant, and the wise alike under her icy foot.

A story is like building a chapel; a novel is a cathedral.

Sometimes it's necessary to believe in love, even if it doesn't exist.

our love for the dead, like a floating iceberg, can only be measured by the depths of our resentments.

Our needs cancel each other out, and that's as solid a base for love as any.

Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you.

I had this thing about hanging out in dark theaters. My family thought I grew out of a rock.

Cease from practice based on intellectual understanding, pursuing words, and following after speech.

Unemployed writers have muses. Employed writers just sweat.

Benefit of clergy: Half-rate on the railroad.

You aren't really anybody in America if you're not on TV.

The day we were born, we were all God's children.

I'd like to see people, instead of spending so much time on the ethical problem, get after the problems that really affect the people of this country

The quickest, simplest, and most powerful way I know to handle any emotion is to remember a time when you felt a similar emotion and realize that you've successfully handled this emotion before.

Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day