It is no consolation to reflect that every cause itself is an effect, making the search for causes and reasons a fool’s errand.

Experience belongs to the actor, but the story belongs to the teller. We write so we will never forget.

The twentieth century saw a professionalization of fiction writing, particularly in its second half and particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world - not so much mainland Europe, for example.

Our interaction with our friends, for instance, is in large part an interaction with representations in our own head of the people before us. That's why a friend can surprise or disappoint us.

No sight better expresses the politics of aid, the dynamics of the West and the developing countries, than the image of children, happy or in need.

Everything new is on the rim of our view, in the darkness, below the horizon, so that nothing new is visible but in the light of what we know.

That’s another argument for writing: making something that outlasts you.

When evil enters the world, do you think it comes with horns and cloven feet, billowing some foul stench?

Then, as now, I believe that the English use language to hide what they mean.

Our choices are made, our will flexed, in the teeth of events that overwhelm us and devour us.

It’s always nice to learn a thing or two from a novel, don’t you think?

May you find grace to live zealous life.

Success is not attained by chance, you have to work in order to get it.

For the first time in his existence, he knew he was drowning and he wasn't thinking about survival.

This is mankind's destiny, the engine with fuels us as a race.

I wasn't making music consciously when I was younger. I was a musician, but that has its own stigmas. Anywhere on the planet, it's one of the more undervalued positions.

I beg you to believe that life is not a process, it's a drama

Obedience is the crown and honour of all virtue.

The art of land warfare is an art of genius, of inspiration. On the sea nothing is genius or inspiration; everything is positive or empiric.

Let your youth have free reign, it won't come again, so be bold and no repenting.

I believe that no people ever yet groaned under the heavy yoke of slavery but when they deserved it.