Nobody, said Humboldt, had a destiny. One simply decided to feign one until one came to believe in it oneself. But so many things didn't fit in with it, one had to really force oneself.

English is much drier. You can get away with a lot less. Pathos, lyricism, these are things you have to tone down if you want the English version of the book to work.

I wanted to write a book that would leave open many riddles and mysteries, even to me. Of course in some cases I do know the answers, but in many others I don't know and don't want to know.

A neglect of one's sentimental education early in life could bear the most unfortunate fruit.

People who have experienced nothing love to tell stories while people who have experienced a great deal suddenly have no stories to tell at all.

When you translate the American writers who are best with dialogue into German - someone like Elmore Leonard, or Tom Wolfe, who's also quite good with dialogue. It's very hard to translate them well.

Also, whenever you have direct speech, and I don't quite know why, but it always gets better in English. Dialogue, the flow of dialogue, English just has a better way with it.

Exactly as we might ask God, and do ask God, to change our fate. The difference is that in the story the writer actually replies and in the end even changes his mind.

I hate vulgar realism in literature. The man who would call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one.

So many people sabotagetheir own chances for happiness—don’t be one of them.

In Shakespeare's day it was women who were being burned at the stake as witches... not men. The men were thought of as alchemists. But women doing the same thing would be a witch and would be burned.

I'm a stage actor. That is what I do.

Every child deserves a chance at a life filled with love, laughter, friends and family.

Social Security is at last on the nation's front burner.

You are responsible for your life. It doesn't matter what your Mama did. It doesn't matter what your Daddy didn't do. You are responsible for your life.

Let us not forget the genial miraculous force we have known to proceed from a book.

Lincoln was not a type. He stands alone - no ancestors, no fellows, no successors.

We must not close with Christ because we feel Him, but because God lias said it, and we must take God's word even in the dark.