A person’s got to think, otherwise that person’s no better than a trained seal balancing a ball on his nose. If only that seal could think, he’d know he was making a thousand children laugh.

What do you know about sooner or later? Is a moment only a moment when you’re in pain?

Six years is plenty long enough to soothe the tearing anguish of... death, but maybe no amount of time is enough to soothe something that is no longer there. Something like an emptiness that can never be filled because it’s only a bit of space carved out of air.

Experiencing life through a book can help you learn without all the pain of going through the experiences first hand.

What is genius, anyway, if it isn’t the ability to give an adequate response to a great challenge?

The secret is in absolutely refusing to let the river beat you down. If I had to, I’d measure my progress in inches. One more inch I’ve swum – one less inch to swim. Once you know the secret, then nobody’s river can bring you down.

I was hooked on writing. I mean, where else can you get paid for sticking your nose into somebody else’s business?

Keep in mind that life produces no maestros, only students of varying shades of ineptitude.

The world is not a rational place.

Longevity can’t be the only test of love.