Every writer has certain subjects that they write about again and again, and . . . most people's books are just variations on certain themes.

Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique, and not too much imagination.

We must remember that nothing in this world really belongs to us. At best, we are merely borrowers.

Only those who are capable of silliness can be called truly intelligent.

By helping yourself, you are helping humankind. By helping humankind, you are helping yourself. That's the law of all spiritual progress.

Sometimes awful things have their own beauty.

I'll bet Shakespeare compromised himself a lot; anybody who's in the entertainment industry does to some extent.

Bad writing is bad not just because the language is humdrum, but the quality of the observation is so poor.

The sea only drowns its lovers.

I am a camera, with its shutter open. Someday, all of this will be developed, printed, fixed.

Someone has to ask you a question," George continues meaningly, "before you can answer it. But it's so seldom you find anyone who'll ask the right questions. Most people aren't that much interested.

A new beginning is better than an old ending

There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.

I used to live in Buddhist monasteries and I finally had to leave them because they were just too cluttered for me. They were cluttered up with many thoughts about Buddhism.

War is a calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings.

And connected I had been. When the fish changed directions, I felt it. when it slowed or sped up, I felt that too. It's such a raw thing, this shared existence with a piece of bucking biomass.

What makes a story is how well it manages to connect with the reader, the visceral effect it has.

I think all record companies should be run by a musician. Just as you wouldn't trust your health to an electrician.

There were only so many kicks a dog could take before it turned vicious.’ (Acheron)

I think we are living in a time, where as a whole, as a community, people do want to push the boundaries.

Fight your imperfections imagining that you are the worst, so you can perform as the best.