No work of literature is the product of only one or two conscious ideas. A story is mysteriously dense of meaning.

It is very difficult to teach navigation theory to someone who clings to the shore.

An essay is a work of literary art which has a minimum of one anecdote and one universal idea.

The more original a short-story writer, the odder looking the assortment of things he or she puts together for a story.

Literature has low enough standards. But we can avoid writing the worst literature if we make ourselves ask ourselves, every two or three sentences we write, 'Is that what I really think?'

The principle of literature is devotion to the particulars of life.

The secret of literature, which conventional people don't guess, is that writers are forever looking for the surprising revelation - not for reinforcement of collective wisdom.

For a short-story writer, a story is the combination of what the writer supposed the story would likely be about - plus what actually turned up in the course of writing.

Apprenticeship is one of the dearest roles of childhood, not just watching Dad or Mother, but being taught a hands-on trade.

Emily was feeling the elation of conscientious hosts when they can temporarily escape a ubiquitous houseguest.

No one is shallow and vulgar forever; sooner or later the whole species likes to be profound.

Peace in my mind, Peace in my heart, Peace in my dreams And peace in my thoughts.

Shine with all you have. When someone tries to blow you out, just take their oxygen and burn brighter.

I once had half a cup [of coffee], twenty years ago, and I'm still working it off.

I won't read a book that starts with a description of the weather. I don't read books over 300 pages, though I'll make an exception for Don Delillo.

Dressing with style is akin to issuing a manifesto; dressing fashionably is like signing a petition.

We're going to win Sunday. I guarantee it.

great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great.

Two times two is twenty-two, four times four is forty-four. When numbers get serious, they leave a mark on your door.

I would just say Hillary [Clinton] did win the popular vote.

Singing is not about timbres or category labels, singing is about fascinating acoustical properties like the colors of the human voice which derive from thought and emotion.