The trick is, to treat your days as if each one may be your last.

If you're hooked on the physical act of writing, there's a good chance of your hanging in there long enough to say what you were born to say.

Every poem, formal or free, has an ideal shape, and the job of the poet is to find it.

...much of modern military tactics is geared toward maneuvering the enemy into a position where they can essentially be massacred from safety. (pg. 140)

Humans are forever discontent—always thinking there are better alternatives to their present circumstances.

There's a kinship among men who have sat by a dying fire and measured the worth of their life by it.

What is easy is seldom excellent.

My fundamental interests are to preserve the good name and standing of this Australian Labor Party and to act in the national interest on behalf of the Australian Government.

A man cannot wheedle nor overawe his Genius. It requires to be conciliated by nobler conduct than the world demands or can appreciate.

Looks fade,' Mom would go on. 'But intelligence lasts forever.

We often pray to be better, when in truth we only want to feel better.

The longing for a very garish kind of success seems as widespread among writers as among investment bankers.

I don’t like to be alone, but I do cherish the moments that I’m alone with a good book.