Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Then there was the whole concept of coal mining, which is a culture unto itself, the most dangerous occupation in the world, and which draws and develops a certain kind of man.

As a novelist, I tell stories and people give me money. Then financial planners tell me stories and I give them money.

The most beautiful women in the world were African.

Of course the biggest mafia in Russia has always been the government; in Soviet times, the Communist Party, and now a circle of former KGB and FSB.

I have another Russian idea, too, with a place and a period, so I guess I have enough to keep me busy for quite some time, especially considering that I'm such a slow writer.

Because normal human activity is worse for nature than the greatest nuclear accident in history.

The great thing about being a writer is that you are always recreating yourself.

I used to be treated like an idiot, now I'm treated like an idiot savant.

Mystery books. I must read a hundred a year. . . I just wish some of them were harder to figure out.

I'm very aware when I'm speaking to the English of how flat my Mid-Atlantic American voice is.

How base a thing it is when a man will struggle with necessity! We have to die.

I think there is a danger there of being mean to people and humiliating people and embarrassing people just because it might get you ratings. It is a disturbing trend.

Man has learned to cope with all questions of importance without recourse to God as a working hypothesis.

I don't really see the hurdles. I sense them like a memory.

We've got unmatched talent, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, so when we work together, we can all benefit.

All that is good in art is the expression of one soul talking to another, and is precious according to the greatness of the soul that utters it.

It's just about being in the zone, in any sport, be it football, basketball or baseball.

Mind's in another world thinking how can we exist through the facts

Look before you leap for as you sow, ye are like to reap.

The need of truth is more sacred than any other need.