Exactly as we might ask God, and do ask God, to change our fate. The difference is that in the story the writer actually replies and in the end even changes his mind.

English is much drier. You can get away with a lot less. Pathos, lyricism, these are things you have to tone down if you want the English version of the book to work.

I wanted to write a book that would leave open many riddles and mysteries, even to me. Of course in some cases I do know the answers, but in many others I don't know and don't want to know.

A neglect of one's sentimental education early in life could bear the most unfortunate fruit.

People who have experienced nothing love to tell stories while people who have experienced a great deal suddenly have no stories to tell at all.

When you translate the American writers who are best with dialogue into German - someone like Elmore Leonard, or Tom Wolfe, who's also quite good with dialogue. It's very hard to translate them well.

Also, whenever you have direct speech, and I don't quite know why, but it always gets better in English. Dialogue, the flow of dialogue, English just has a better way with it.

Nobody, said Humboldt, had a destiny. One simply decided to feign one until one came to believe in it oneself. But so many things didn't fit in with it, one had to really force oneself.

People will walk in and walk out of your life, but the one whose footstep made a long lasting impression is the one you should never allow to walk out.

It is incredible how many hurts can be healed by the two words, 'I'm sorry.

God keeps the wicked to give them time to repent.

Nearer the gods no mortal may approach.

Then came October, full of merry glee.

What is death? A scary mask. Take it off-see, it doesn't bite.

Lack of candor blocks smart ideas, fast action, and good people contributing all the stuff they've got. It's a killer.

I am comfortable with myself, and this is how I am. I am not really interested in having an acrimonious fight with somebody.

When I was a kid, I read the science-fiction shelves, and I read the fantasy shelves.

A man does not serve God when he prays, for it is himself he is trying to serve