It is not when a man is at the end of his life, but when a man is at the end of his profession, that his soul shows itself.

He worshipped at the temple of her intellect and I believe it was a comfort to him to know that she left our world with it still shining.

These writers take the essence of every person around them, turn them into books and stories without permission or even a simple thank-you, and want all the credit and glory for themselves.

exaggeration is the octopus of the English language

Though an angel should write, still 'tis devils must print

People hate the idea of politicians, you see, but love the idea of authors, at least until they meet one.

Avoid the Holy Grail, the heroic journeys, the pursuit of a legend--that is not the life of the bookaneer, who must keep his eyes on the ground while other book people live by dreaming.

A man's library opens up his character to the world.

By this means the government may secretly and unobserved, confiscate the wealth of the people, and not one man in a million will detect the theft.

Love has a way of cheating itself consciously, like a child who plays at solitary hide-and-seek; it is pleased with assurances that it all the while disbelieves.

Most virtue lies between two vices.

Man's restlessness makes him strive.

I suppose I wanted to have my cake and eat it. But then again, what were you going to do with your cake if not eat it? Frame it? Use it as a sachet in your underwear drawer?

Could the search for ultimate truth really have revealed so hideous and visceral looking an object?

Elected on anti-corruption platform in 1978.

Painting is damned difficult - you always think you've got it, but you haven't.

We cannot have foreign governments interceding in our elections.

There is no other dog that can compare to a Corgi. They're the epitome of beauty.