We don't want to read a book. We want to live an experience.

Writing the middle of a novel is a lot like driving through Texas. You think it's never going to end, and the scenery looks the same.

It's like a convent, the hospital. You leave the world behind and take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience.

All wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory.

If forgiveness is medicine for the soul, then gratitude is vitamins.

Vengeance cannot abide the agony of grace.

We may have forgotten how to feel. Nobody is teaching us how to live happily ever after, as we've heard in fairy tales.

Does not vanity itself cease to be blamable, is it not even ennobled, when it is directed to laudable objects, when it confines itself to prompting us to great and generous actions?

Business is always looking to avoid the toughest norms. But some do it in a civilized way, while others push it using uncivilized, brazen methods.

Whatever I thought right, to others seemed wrong; what I held to be bad, others approved of.

The Heart that is not in love will fail the test.

As Americans, we do love punishment.

To be in anger is impiety, but who is man that is not angry?