“Comedy, I imagine, is harder to do consistently than tragedy, but I like it spiced in the wine of sadness.”

Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writing.

Those who write about life, reflect about life. you see in others who you are.

Children were strangers you loved because you could love. If they gave back love when they were grown you were ahead of the game.

The wild begins where you least expect it, one step off your normal course

… it’s possible to let love fly by like a cloud in a windy sky if one is too timid, or perhaps unable to believe he is entitled to good fortune.

Of course it would cost something, but he was an expert in cutting corners; and when there were no more corners left he would make circles rounder.

If you ever forget you are a Jew a goy will remind you.

I am somewhat of a meliorist. That is to say, I act as an optimist because I find I cannot act at all, as a pessimist.

(Clothes) cannot change a man’s nature. He’s either kind or he isn’t, with or without clothes.

If the stories come, you get them written, you’re on the right track. Eventually everyone learns his or her own best way. The real mystery to crack is you.

I sometimes confuse myself with the little I know.

As long as a man stays alive he can’t tell what chances will pop up next. But a dead man signs no checks.

We have in my country (Russia) a quotation: “It is impossible to make out of apology a fur coat.

First drafts are for learning what your story is about.

Writers who can’t invent stories often substitute style for narrative. They remind me of the painter who couldn’t paint people, so he painted chairs.

All men are Jews, though few men know it.

The melancholy thing about the world is that it is full of stupid people; and the world is run for the benefit of the stupid and common.

When all the thoughts are concerning one thing and the person loses interest in other things, the melancholy begins.

Respect pain. Every heartfelt word is first born from sadness.

One of the things you realize about gettin older is that not everybody is goin to get older with you.

A father carries pictures where his money used to be.

The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.

I thank God for happiness and sadness. If you are never sad you will never know how good happiness is.

We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.