143 Quotes by Bernard Malamud

The past exudes legend: one can't make pure clay of time's mud.

... we are all terribly alone no matter what people say.

First drafts are for learning what your novel or story is about. Revision is working with that knowledge to enlarge and enhance an idea, to re-form it.... The first draft of a book is the most uncertain-where you need guts, the ability to accept the imperfect until it is better.

Somewhere I put it this way: first drafts are for learning what one’s fiction wants him to say. Revision works with that knowledge to enlarge and enhance an idea, to reform it. Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writing.

A man has to construct, invent, his freedom.

The whole history of baseball has the quality of mythology.

Teach yourself to work in uncertainty.

You see in others who you are.

Life is a tragedy full of joy.