It is clearly better that property should be private, but the use of it common; and the special business of the legislator is to create in men this benevolent disposition.
I grew up in L.A., and I worked for 'The Hollywood Reporter.' I knew enough about the business to know that the usual role of the author on a movie is to get out of the way and not say anything.
If the head man in a company is not working 12 hours a day, doing things, taking risks, but also standing with his people in the trenches at the most difficult of times, then the company loses something.
With humor, it's so subjective that trying to think of what the ideal reader would think would drive you crazy.
There is also this benefit in brag, that the speaker is unconsciously expressing his own ideal. Humor him by all means, draw it all out, and hold him to it.
There are two insults no human being will endure: that he has no sense of humor, and that he has never known trouble.
You don't know when you are immersed in a book what the reaction to it will be, but I feel great about 'The Lake of Dreams.'
Education should be totally secular. I am not telling people not to believe in God, but it should be a personal matter which should be done at home.
Physical pain however great ends in itself and falls away like dry husks from the mind, whilst moral discords and nervous horrors sear the soul.
We talk about globalization today as if it's some great big new thing, that we've all just discovered. But there's really nothing new about it.
I had a great life even before 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter' took off. I really enjoy teaching.
Many people are despairing of the possibility of finding love. And some of the people who are despairing the most are in their thirties and forties and looking just great.
In writing, I want to be remembered for telling good stories in beautiful and powerful language, using the poetry of words to reflect the thematic concerns of compelling stories.
The only work that will ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the healing of the world.
Perfect friendship is the friendship of men who are good, and alike in excellence; for these wish well alike to each other qua good, and they are good in themselves.
And write what you love - don't feel pressured to write serious prose if what you like is to be funny.
Your understanding of a place changes the longer you stay; you discover more, and your own life gets woven into the fabric of the community.
In retrospect, it seems like everything in my life led to me becoming a writer. I just didn't realise it at the time.
The force that keeps the planets revolving around the sun would be glad to handle the circumstances of your life, if only you would ask him to.
Bending over backwards does not bring you the love and attention you crave, but having your own life, your own goals and a backbone will.
I wanted more control of my life. I wanted work to fit in, not to dominate; to support, not to lead the pattern of my life.
