“It’s easier to ask for money from the poor than from the wealthy.”

Exquisite nature, daydreams, and music say one thing, real life another.

Not one of our mortal gauges is suitable for evaluating non-existence, for making judgments about that which is not a person.

You will not become a saint through other people’s sins.

The government is not God. It does not have the right to take away that which it can’t return even if it wants to.

Oh, I have now a mania for shortness. Whatever I read – my own or other people’s works – it all seems to me not short enough.

The happy man only feels at ease because the unhappy bear their burden in silence. Without this silence, happiness would be impossible.

He is an emancipated thinker who is not afraid to write foolish things.

I kept thinking how marvellous it would be if I could somehow tear my heart, which felt so heavy, out of my chest.

My own experience is that once a story has been written, one has to cross out the beginning and the end. It is there that we authors do most of our lying.

In short stories it is better to say not enough than to say too much, because, because–I don’t know why.

It’s not a matter of old or new forms; a person writes without thinking about any forms, he writes because it flows freely from his soul.

The aim of fiction is absolute and honest truth.

Write, write, write-till your fingers break.

The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.

A woman can become a man’s friend only in the following stages – first an acquantaince, next a mistress, and only then a friend.

You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible.

Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that.

Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.

My main purpose is to pray five times a day. And that’s not easy.

Letting go is not easy, but being free is wonderful.

Basketball isn’t easy. All my life I’ve been striving to make myself better. It’s a full time commitment.

It’s easy to say I love you with your mouth. But I like when people say I love you with their heart.

We have to choose between what is right, and what is easy.

Don’t just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.