My family pleaded with me to forget literature and do something sensible, such as find some sort of useful work.

Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it.

We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.

Using the device of an imaginary world allows me in some strange way to go to the central issues - it's one of many ways to express feelings about real people, about real human relationships.

Craftsmanship isn't like water in an earthen pot, to be taken out by the dipperful until it's empty. No, the more drawn out the more remains.

Keep reading. It's one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone can have.

He [the cat] liked to peep into the refrigerator and risk having his head shut in by the closing door. He also climbed to the top of the stove, discontinuing the practice after he singed his tail.

The only thing a cat worries about is what's happening right now. As we tell the kittens, you can only wash one paw at a time.

Is there worse evil than that which goes in the mask of good?

Seize the day, whatever's in it to seize, before something comes along and seizes you.

Thinking is a bit uncomfortable, but you'll get used to it. A matter of time and practice.

I reckon it’s true what they say that good begets good and bad begets bad. The evil men do lives on after them, but what good they done gets buried with their bones.

@The integration point is God himself@

Interestingly, people often boast that they are hard workers not understanding that hardworking means spending a lot of time and energy on work.

Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but ­essentially you’re on your own. ­Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.

I can never tell what I'm doing when I'm in the middle of publication because I have no confidence. I have terrible self-esteem, along with boundless narcissism.

If I do not speak in a language that can be understood there is little chance for a dialogue.

For an introvert his environment is himself and can never be subject to startling or unforeseen change.

Art is rarely intelligible to the criminal classes.

One must love the mirror in the face of truth, only if one loves the outlook of your inner compassion.

Visionaries see the "impossible" as the inevitable.