Short stories amount for the most part to parlour tricks, party favours with built-in snappers, gadgets for including recognition and reversals

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).

Money isn’t everything.

The strong overcome their opponents, the mighty crush them, the shrewd outwit them, the cowardly hide from them, but the enlightened transcend them.

People grow when they are loved well. If you want to help others heal, love them without an agenda.

He liked the way her smile infected him and infused a bit of heat into his cold bones—a warmth missing until he'd opened the door to her flower shop.

Can anything be less cool than defending the motion picture academy?

Remember you love writing. It wouldn’t be worth it if you didn’t. If the love fades, do what you need to and get it back.

Pain makes hens and poets cackle.

Perhaps a man may commit suicide in self-defense.

I know there really is someone out there for everyone.

I wasn't out drinking and abusing my body. I simply loved to go out and dance.