I don't know about transformation. But scientifically you can say: Well, it doesn't seem to hurt anybody. Personally I've been cheered by books at really critical moments. That much I believe.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

A person’s true nature, true self, cannot change with situations.

Thus are many identities, over time, shown to be temporary alignments of components involved in a deeper allegiance.

What else goes wrong for a woman-except her marriage?

I think there is a very quiet power in things that are not on screen

Cats are only human, they have their faults.

Every time I ask for visa, they (USA) give me visa for five years. I have never had any problem in getting a visa to any nation.

I may not drive in 100 runs a year, but I can prevent 100 runs from scoring against us.

The alternative to the market process is government control, and we know where that principle leads.

I wish I did believe in God. It would be a great relief to think, 'God'll take care of it. God'll put gas in the car tomorrow'.

I'm so fed up with being told that I'm a bad person because I don't subscribe to the same exact narrow views [Christians] have.