You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing.

Imagine a man who stands before a mirror; a stone strikes it, and it falls to ruin all in an instant. And the man learns that he is himself, and not the mirrored man he had believed himself to be.

People don't want other people to be people.

Weak people believe what is forced on them. Strong people what they wish to believe, forcing that to be real.

Knowledge is soon changed, then lost in the mist, an echo half-heard.

My definition of good literature is that which can be read by an educated reader, and reread with increased pleasure.

There is no limit to stupidity. - Space itself is said to be bounded by its own curvature, but stupidity continues beyond infinity.

Ambiguity is necessary in some of my stories, not in all. In those, it certainly contributes to the richness of the story. I doubt that thematic closure is never attainable.

Evolution teaches us the original purpose of language was to ritualize men's threats and curses, his spells to compel the gods; communication came later.

All time exists. That is the truth.... If the future did not exist now, how could we journey toward it? If the past does not exist still, how could we leave it behind?

We believe that we invent symbols. The truth is that they invent us; we are their creatures, shaped by their hard, defining edges.

Yet he saw that in all places there was originality, resulting from the human efforts at decoration and ingenious methods of survival.

If I had wings I would fly, I'd soar on high where only eagles dareI'd let them rip, I'd let them tear, until all that remained was me bare.

Use what talents you have the woods would have little music if no birds sang their song except those who sang best.

Creativity is an infinitely renewable resource - you are not going to run out of it - so don't be afraid to use it.

Learn to limit yourself; to content yourself with some definite work; dare to be what you are and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not; and to believe in your own individuality.

The gentleman is solid mahogany; the fashionable man is only veneer.

Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you're in it, but the longer you stay, the more wrinkled you get.

Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love.

I like imagination -- and the way I think things could be, had been, or should be -- better than reality.

I'm gonna hunt my life down and grab it.