To finish is both a relief and a release from an extraordinarily pleasant prison.

The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the whim of the editor, compressible ad lib.

American English is the greatest influence of English everywhere.

Vulgarity finds its antidote; old crudities become softened with time. Distinctions, both those that are useful and those that are burdensome, flourish and die, reflourish and die again.

Lexicography is a chastening as well as an illuminating and fascinating art.

Computer users soon learn that the miraculous powers of personal computers are based on avoidance of error.

A life without a plan is a life out of control.

Men are April when they woo December when they wed.

Let us assume nothing, and we shall not be moritifed.

Thing, body, matter, are nothing apart from the combinations of the elements, - the colours, sounds, and so forth - nothing apart from their so-called attributes.

History is not a procession of illustrious people. It's about what happens to a people. Millions of anonymous people is what history is about.

I like to work with really good professional people - anyone with real talent.

I watched a few of Warren Beatty films when I was growing up...my Dad loved 'Heaven Can Wait.'

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, 'always do what you are afraid to do.'

... and you can only have 2 or 3 things everyday, because everything else will just come at you; you know fires in a day.

I'm surrounded by men, and the muse is complaining that I have neglected her.