As a writer, you live in permanent self-doubt; youre on permanent trial.

Nothing good ever happens by itself - it is achieved through striving, though this sometimes bears a high price.

One can criticize the Israeli government, but it is not fair to judge the people of Israel.

Cervantes is the most important Spanish writer. But he is not the most representative of the Spanish. His irony, his sense of humor - they are too subtle to seem Spanish.

A few British suffragettes everybody laughed at started the cause of equality between men and women.

There are two types of stories: public and private.

I have absolute respect for Israel and people in Israel who are critical of their own country.

An idea like equality between men and women, which is now accepted in the West, is quite new.

I turn my back on him as he goes, and settle myself in the parlor, and touch Ma's piano.My fingers leave sighsin the dust.

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.

Being an old radical, I like films like Spartacus. I could relate to the hero.

It's starting to sink in," Corny said. "I can almost look at you without wanting to bang my head against the wall.

Poverty is a lot like childbirth - you know it is going to hurt before it happens, but you'll never know how much until you experience it.

Whether we like it or not, men have more of the offices, more of the higher jobs, more of the seats in Congress. Men need to re-examine what their power is. We need to understand how to use it.

The overall message is that no matter what you want to do in life, don't give up.

I believe in my heart Simpson is guilty.

I also like the banging piano - that old good-time piano.

The end of writing is to instruct; the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing.