th. Closely followed—in view of the overall shortage of time—by patience.

The one thing that the racist can never manage is anything like discrimination: he is indiscriminate by definition.

Everything about Christianity is contained in the pathetic image of 'the flock.

[P]erhaps you notice how the denial is so often the preface to the justification.

What is your idea of earthly happiness? To be vindicated in my own lifetime.

How is the United States at once the most conservative and commercial AND the most revolutionary society on Earth?

I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves.

We live only a few conscious decades, and we fret ourselves enough for several lifetimes.

Cheap booze is a false economy.

Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.

What do you most value in your friends?Their continued existence.

Bitter wisdom is better than sweet folly.

God notices every one of us; there is not a sparrow or a worm that continues to live apart from His decrees.

Poets are simply those who have made a profession and a lifestyle of being in touch with their bliss.

When you write songs, you have to like them yourself first, but then you have to make everyone else like them, because you can force them to play it, but you can't force them to like it.

To fight the raven you may make alliance with the serpent until the battle is done.

Ironing is comfort. It's control. I'm a nutty person who likes to make sure everything is in its place.

I know the difference between black magic and white magic.

Wine had such ill effects on Noah's health that it was all he could do to live 950 years. Show me a total abstainer that ever lived that long.

Gaze no more in the bitter glass The demons, with their subtle guile, Lift up before us when they pass, Or only gaze a little while.

I don't take gifts from perfect strangers — but then, nobody is perfect.