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

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.

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.

The top 10% of the people who are most creative, constructive and thoughtful, do not have much to do with churches. To them the canons of reason come first, making faith secondary and questionable.

Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that does not make you who you are, it is the rest of it- who you choose to be

Well-designed visuals do more than provide information

When the reward is the activity itself--deepening learning, delighting customers, doing one's best--there are no shortcuts.

I'll tell you what, our media is indeed sick and its making our country sick, and we're going to stop it.

Success can breed contempt, and a casual attitude toward danger.

So many people have really wanted to die. They seem ashamed to say so. I think it would help if they would say so

If you [Americans] behave with disrespect - even just a little bit - [the Iranian people] will punch you in the mouth so hard that all your devouring teeth will fall off.

The doctor will persist in laboring under the delusion that patients want common sense instead of magic.

I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, "Got any shoes you’re not using?