Writing nonfiction is more like sculpture, a matter of shaping the research into the finished thing.

The wind shows us how close to the edge we are.

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.

To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.

We are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not.

I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.

Memory fades, memory adjusts, memory conforms to what we think we remember.

We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget.

The fear is for what is still to be lost.

Do not whine... Do not complain. Work harder. Spend more time alone.

Short stories demand a certain awareness of one's own intentions, a certain narrowing of the focus.

Dare to try again when you failure.

Sometimes we encourage someone without even being aware of it. Even the example we set by attending church may encourage someone who is searching for God.

Everyone needs a place where they can go to just ponder for a while. Silence is important

The history of music is nothing more than the history of art-music or classical music, the music that was commissioned by aristocrats.

The secret of great fortunes without apparent cause is a crime forgotten, for it was properly done.

It's easy to scare women. It's even profitable to scare women... But it's not nice, so let's stop it.

The thing is, if I don't have sobriety, I don't have anything.

The economic picture in the States today doesn't allow for jazz concerts in a tour fashion. People now are too used to the Festival, which gives them more names for the same price.

If you hit a midget on the head with a stick, he turns into 40 gold coins.

Authenticity is critical to leadership. That means trying to be yourself - this involves some self-disclosure, admitting what you don't know and being willing to ask questions.