This is what I like, sitting at a table and watching people go by. It does something to your outlook on life. The Anglo-Saxons make a great mistake not staring at people from a sidewalk table.

My imagination functions much better when I don't have to speak to people.

Everything human is alien to me.

Life is a long failure of understanding ... a long, mistaken shutting of the heart.

Each book is, in a sense, an argument with myself, and I would write it, whether it is ever published or not.

One situation – maybe one alone – could drive me to murder: family life, togetherness.

And no book, and possibly no painting, when it is finished, is ever exactly like the first dream of it.

I have Graham Greene's telephone number, but I wouldn't dream of using it. I don't seek out writers because we all want to be alone.

How easy it was to lie when one had to lie!

For neither life nor nature cares if justice is ever done or not.

It always gets late with you. - Is that a compliment?

One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.

Inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it.

Two thirds of help is to give courage.

Misogyny is the death of the heart.

The voter problems and voter suppression, in some ways they're the same thing, but in some ways they're not, because the suppression is evil.

Mental stains can not be removed by time, nor washed away by any waters. [Lat., Animi labes nec diuturnitate vanescere nec omnibus ullis elui potest.]

Listen to a man's words and look at the pupil of his eye. How can a man conceal his character?

To truly forgive is to allow the other person to forget.

Live one day without any unhealthy thoughts. It may be very difficult, but try another day until it becomes habitual, and life will move in the direction of becoming healthy, vital and alive.

We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail.