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.

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.

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?

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

A word to the wise an't nesisary its the stupid ones who need the edvise.

Sin in the world destroys people’s lives through lust, sickness and addiction

Reconciliation means - in victory, I win and you're wrong, and then you lose.

I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things.

I condition myself to believe that once the scene is done, once the movie is done, my job is done, and whatever happens after that is none of my business.

No matter what job you do, we all have a much different life than our parents had. My parents' generation had one job and then they retired. Now, people have many different jobs.

Success is not a destination, but the road that you’re own.

When the Scripture speaks, God speaks

I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant.

A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.