I never understood alienation. Alienation from what? You have to want to be part of something in order to feel alienated from it.

I think this society suffers so much from too much freedom, too many rights that allow people to be irresponsible.

I think when I was two years old in the sandbox. I think I formulated my basic philosophy there, and I haven't really had to alter it very much ever since

No, seriously, I really don't have much ill-will toward anyone these days; I just ignore the people that I dislike

I've been giving interviews for the last 25 or 30 years, more often than not answering the same questions over and over again, ad nauseum

People who consider themselves political, who follow political developments most rigorously, are often those who view the political process with the greatest lack of perspective.

Embrace nature's brutal perfection.

I think I feel automatically at home in Italy

I have never made any secret of any of my thoughts or areas of interest. I've always been honest, open, and upfront

I've always done everything at my disposal to avoid labeling what I do, or to avoid being labeled myself

Similarly, only people as misanthropic as myself can be counted on not to have to lie to others, since we have the unique luxury of not caring what sort of opinions others formulate about us.

Words rich in meaning can be cheap in sound effects.

man equate their self-esteem with accomplishment

There is no doubt that America is a superpower of the world and we cannot ignore them.

Slow and steady wins the race, and I believe in paying your dues.

Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property.

The literary interview won't tell you what a writer is like. Far more compellingly to some, it will tell you what a writer is like to interview.

After they were both done, the pile of knives and guns on the coffee table looked like they’d cleaned out an armory. “I think we have a problem, Dmitri.

I know it can't be the same between us, but that doesn't change the way I felt about you then.

Amend Constitution to remove aliens' birthright citizenship.