I think every book is a reaction to everything you're written before, and most immediately to the book you wrote just before.

When writing dialogue, I hear it in both Russian and English, and try to find a language that combines the two.

Why are some people highly principled and willing to do anything for their principles, while most of us are not? And I am willing to not only ask, but also answer the question.

Language is a personality as well. People are different when they speak different languages.

I spent seven years writing The Free World. There are a lot of things I accomplished there that I'm very proud of, but I didn't want to spend another seven years writing a book like that.

People everywhere feel differently at different times of their lives.

I think having an uncompromising ideology eventually forces you out of the norm.

We are taught that we can be better than we are. But is there a limit to how good we can be?

In my experience of women, women have a greater capacity. Maybe women, even very pragmatic ones, are less guarded about showing emotions.

We all have some ideological quotient in ourselves. And I think it does guide who we are.

Nothing is easy in writing. I don't think for anyone. But dialogue is probably what comes most naturally to me.

And in the absence of facts, myth rushes in, the kudzu of history.

It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America.

Donald Trump insisted yesterday that he is not racist, because one time an African-American won Apprentice. Because nothing says 'not racist' like making a black man run your errands.

I was competitive in the ring and hip-hop is competitive too... I think rappers condition themselves like boxers, so they all kind of feel like they're the champ.

What's more important that spiritual life? It seems to me it's the bedrock of everything essential about being human.

Success comes only for those groups that overcome the all-too-human behavioral tendencies that corrupt teams and breed dysfunctional politics within them.

I buy newspapers to make money to buy more newspapers to make more money.

Dark, dark! The horror of darkness, like a shroud, wraps me and bears me on through mist and cloud.

By acting as if I was not afraid, I gradually ceased to be afraid.

Wearing short skirts while dancing to a manic routine without showing your knickers or looking indecent is a talent, as far as I'm concerned.