What happens whenever we convert a writer into a symbol is that we lose the writer himself in all his indefeasible singularity, his particular inimitable genius.

The writer writes in order to teach himself, to understand himself, to satisfy himself; the publishing of his ideas, though it brings gratification, is a curious anticlimax.

One writes to make a home for oneself, on paper, in time, in others' minds.

We never know how much has been missing from our lives until a true writer comes along.

To have a sense of history one must consider oneself a piece of history.

A classic is a book that survives the circumstances that made it possible yet alone keeps those circumstances alive.

When a writer talks about his work, he's talking about a love affair.

History has become more important than ever because of the to unprecedented ability of the historical sciences to take in man's life on earth as a whole.

Art changes all the time, but it never "improves." It may go down, or up, but it never improves as technology and medicine improve.

If we practiced medicine like we practice education, wed look for the liver on the right side and left side in alternate years.

A year after Hemingway died on the front page, Faulkner went off after a binge, as if dying was nobody's business but his own.

And not only the pride of intellect, but the stupidity of intellect. And, above all, the dishonesty, yes, the dishonesty of intellect. Yes, indeed, the dishonesty and trickery of intellect.

For peace of mind, I will lie about any thing at any time.

Little did I know that there's nothing more competitive in the world than a professional ballroom dancer. They are as competitive as Olympic athletes.

Knowledge must become capability.

[If] I'm talking about something, that doesn't mean I'm necessarily doing it.

I don't pay attention to what others are doing. I feel strongly that if I have correct goals and the determination to keep pursuing them the best way I know how, everything else falls into line.

Ballet was exactly what I was searching for, but my environment definitely made me the dancer and the person that I am today. And the Hip-Hop culture was a big part of it.

No matter what the past has dealt you, don't let it destroy your future.

Emerging investors want to invest differently. They want to have their dollars - their investment dollars - do double duty.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.