The goal is the same: life itself; and the price is the same; life itself.

The mere attempt to examine my own confusion would consume volumes.

You must be in tune with the times and prepared to break with tradition.

The artist's task is not to alter the world as the eye sees it into a world of aesthetic reality, but to perceive the aesthetic reality within the actual reality. (On photographs by Helen Levitt)

Isn’t every human being both a scientist and an artist; and in writing of human experience, isn’t there a good deal to be said for recognizing that fact and for using both methods?

Some people get where they hope to in this world. Most of us don't.

You've got to bear it in mind that nobody that ever lived is specially privileged; the axe can fall at any moment, on any neck, without any warning or any regard for justice.

I'm very anxious not to fall into archaism or 'literary' diction. I want my vocabulary to have a very large range, but the words must be alive.

A mother never realizes that her children are no longer children.

The camera seems to me, next to unassisted and weaponless consciousness, the central instrument of our time.

Just spunk won't be enough; you've got to have gumption.

Drugs suck more than anything else I have ever liked so much.

Fear clogs faith liberates.

...the only simplicity to be trusted is the simplicity to be found on the far side of complexity.

But you are making assumptions without all the facts, and that's not a sign of intelligence.

Theres a wealth of information on James Dean, and everybody has an opinion on him. James Dean made some kind of impression on everybody.

I'm really aware that in fiction, women are pretty much equal. There's a lot of very successful women novelists. Not so much [for women writers working] in film.

Liberty will not descend to a people, a people must raise themselves to liberty...

Mortals are easily tempted to pinch the life out of their neighbour's buzzing glory, and think that such killing is no murder.

I pray while driving. I pray while working, and while relaxing.

I saw you with your envoy A consenting adult Technique in moderation But vogue to the cult Me I've got my strangers To exile in the night I guess I'm just addicted To the pain of delight