Language is remarkable, except under the extreme constraints of mathematics and logic, it never can talk only about what it's supposed to talk about but is always spreading around.

Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed.

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely; and if you surrender your personal responsibility to a government which promises to take care of you, they will only take care of themselves.

When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which is to be barely known at all.

Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's only a fake poem, not a real one. I'm inclined to agree.

[T]eaching has been for me an education (Lord knows what it has been for my students).

The more you know the less the better.

Guys don't do that when they go out. Guys don't wear outfits that feature the dong.

I have no desire whatsoever to desecrate the grave of seminal Manchester pop group the Stone Roses.

Believe me when I say that some of the most amazing music in history was made on equipment that's not as good as what you own right now.

I knew I was blessed with a gift of having both parents.

The church that is man-managed instead of God-governed is doomed to failure. A ministry that is college-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles.

What is translated from English and into English - and in what quantities - is a question of power.

Design, vitalized and simplified, will make the comforts of civilized life available to an ever-increasing number of Americans.

Language is decanted and shared. If only one person is left alive speaking a language - the case with some American Indian languages - the language is dead. Language takes two and their multiples.

God bless the USA, so large, so friendly, and so rich.