Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed.

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely; and if you surrender your personal responsibility to a government which promises to take care of you, they will only take care of themselves.

When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which is to be barely known at all.

Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's only a fake poem, not a real one. I'm inclined to agree.

[T]eaching has been for me an education (Lord knows what it has been for my students).

The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My wife told me.

success awaits those who steadfastly commit to any requisite sacrifice

Premature satisfaction with half-success is a dream-killer of ambition, nobody should indulge in it.

Possibilities are a mysterious beauty. They tease us to explore while our inner child cheers because an adventure is waiting.

In order to accept yourself, you must first have some sense of who you are.

I, a miserable wretch, haunted by a curse that shut up every avenue to enjoyment.

The guys who play it [soccer] are kinda dumb. Why don't they just kick the crap out of the guy in front of the net? Then they could score all they want.

We occasionally stumble over the truth but most of us pick ourselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.

Being free means "being free for the other," because the other has bound me to him. Only in relationship with the other am I free

Imagination is the golden-eyed monster that never sleeps. It must be fed; it cannot be ignored.

The Internet is like a gold-rush; the only people making money are those who sell the pans.