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.

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.

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.

...I do not know how I can feel this much pain and survive, and at the same time know how much I have to live.

I don't need you to remind me of my age. I have a bladder to do that for me.

A man whose life has been transformed by Christ cannot help but have his worldview show through.

Who has that absolute trust, to fling yourself into mortality, to let it do with you as it will, with all the permutations and possibilities of as it will, be it horror or ecstasy or boredom?

The man that has anything bountifully laughable about him, be sure there is more in that man than you perhaps think for.

I believe in glamour. I am in favor of a little vanity. I don't rely on just my genes. Looking good is a commitment to yourself and to others.

Once I'm obsessed with somebody, I'm terrified of them instantly. I'm not scared of them - I'm scared of me and how I will react.

The question now is: Can we understand our stupidity? This is a test of intellect, not of character.

I garden a lot in LA, so fashion consists of boots, work pants and T-shirts, unless I'm going out.

My mom used to tell me that whatever you do, marry someone who loves you more than you love him.