Often it doesn't occur to you what kind of novel you're writing until quite late on.

Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn.

Religious belief is without reason and without dignity, and its record is near-universally dreadful.

Probably human cruelty is fixed and eternal. Only styles change.

My life looked good on paper - where, in fact, almost all of it was being lived.

When the past is forgotten, the present is unforgettable

Closure is a greasy little word which, moreover, describes a nonexistent condition. The truth, Venus, is that nobody gets over anything.

Perhaps there are other bits of my life that would take on content, take on shadow, if only I read more and thought less about money.

When you’ve lost all your play, guess what love becomes. Work. Work that gets harder every hour.

Love is blind; but it makes you see the blind man; teetering on the roadside . . .

Every 10 years you're a different person, and the really great books evolve with you as you get older. They're full of new rewards.

to all those who slept through the nightmare till it ended, you will remember your nightmares and it will be easier to confront them when they come again for you.

You can lie to yourself about all kinds of things. Until you can't, anymore. Until reality pounds a hole through your fantasy castle and the reality check must be cashed in.

The problem with the Mindset of a fair Democracy is that it purports to be a fair and trustworthy system, but history shows clearly how the voters' trust has been constantly abused.

Oh, beloved, and there is nothing but shadowswhere you accompany me in your dreamsand tell me the hour of light.

Light is the shadow of god

My wandering has led me to the beginning of our journey together. I suppose it's only fitting for me to be here at that journey's end.

Electric light is just another instrument. I have no desire to contrive fantasies mediumistically or sociologically over it or beyond it.

If future generations ask us what we are fighting for [in World War Two], we shall tell them the story of Lidice.

If you would conquer Love, he must be fought At his first onslaught; sprinkle but a drop Of water, the new-kindled flame expires.

If a religion does not teach love, respect, and regard for others, it cannot be the religion of humanity.