Henry James joyously engaged in the act of writing. A good day's writing gave him a sense of strength, of control over chaos, a victory of order and clarity over the confused battle of existence.

Any biographer must of necessity become a pilgrim a peripatetic, obsessed literary pilgrim, a traveler with four eyes.

The answer to old age is to keep one's mind busy and to go on with one's life as if it were interminable. I always admired Chekhov for building a new house when he was dying of tuberculosis.

The biographer who writes the life of his subjects self-concept passes through a fade into the inner house of life.

Theology: (15) Somebody made everything for some reason.

He had a suspicion of plausible answers

I remember in school once the teacher gave us a speech about anyone can make it if they try, and then she looked at me and said. 'I don't know what you are going to do, Georgie.'

I'm very careful with my emotions, and I don't let them run free. If I'm upset, it's usually for a very good, very deep reason.

I am scared of being broke and famous. I think that would be the biggest curse.

A person who is innocent is extremely humble.

If you're always looking at someone else, trying to imitate them, how can your natural gifts ever emerge?

When Lonnie Mack came out with the guitar instrumental "Memphis" I thought, Oh God, finally somebody we guitar players can relate to !

The present is never a happy state to any human being.

At certain point, you realize it's easy to play music for the rest of your life: just don't sell your guitar. Maybe you get a day job, but as long as you have a guitar, you can play.