Work on good prose has three steps: a musical stage when it is composed, an architectonic one when it is built, and a textile one when it is woven.

Like ultraviolet rays memory shows to each man in the book of life a script that invisibly and prophetically glosses the text.

The more circumspectly you delay writing down an idea, the more maturely developed it will be on surrendering itself.

Of all the ways of acquiring books, writing them oneself is regarded as the most praiseworthy method.

To be happy is to be able to become aware of oneself without fright.

The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope.

Quotations in my work are like wayside robbers who leap out armed and relieve the stroller of his conviction.

There is no document of civilization which is not at the same time a document of barbarism.

The concept of progress must be grounded in the idea of catastrophe. That things are 'status quo' is the catastrophe

All human knowledge takes the form of interpretation.

Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be.

If you haven’t lost your mind yet, that’s because you haven’t seen very much.

...if you've never been cussed out by a Siamese, you don't know what profanity is all about!

Disappointment forever lurked just beyond the edges of her joy, ready to spring like a ravenous cougar.

I am so honored to be the vessel into which you pour this story of pain and strength.

What has the women’s movement learned from Geraldine Ferraro’s candidacy for vice president? Never get married.

Women and elephants never forget an injury.

There are two types of relationships: nourishing and toxic. Do not keep the toxic. What interaction does light have with darkness? None!

For my next trick I will make everyone understand me.

A boy is better unborn than untaught.

I do a happy dance even when I get a guest-star role.