The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain

We have not the reverent feeling for the rainbow that a savage has, because we know how it is made. We have lost as much as we gained by prying into that matter.

Mark Twain

Writing is thinking on paper.

William Zinsser

Composing is my life blood.

Morton Gould

Everybody was tellin' me that I had to do something different, and I kind of agreed that I did need to vary it a little bit. I still love some rock 'n' roll too.

Johnny Winter

You can find out anything you want about a car now, and especially every bit of information about the price, without relying on the dealers.

Susan Orlean

We term sleep a death by which we may be literally said to die daily; in fine, so like death, I dare not trust it without my prayers.

Sir Thomas Browne

An obstinate person does not hold opinions; they hold them.

Alexander Pope

Faith is love taking the form of aspiration.

William Ellery Channing

We don't have enough support for maternal leave and the kinds of things that some of the European countries do. So we still make it hard on women to go into the work force and feel that they can be good at work but then doing the most important job, which is raising your children in a responsible and positive way.

Hillary Clinton

We learn simply by the exposure of living. Much that passes for education is not education at all but ritual. The fact is that we are being educated when we know it least.

David P. Gardner

Of all the planets apart from Earth in our solar system, Mars is the most hospitable. Yeah. Right. Better keep my visit short. And yet, despite the discomfort, the danger, I love it here. I love coming back for these imaginary vacations. The sights are amazing.

Greg Bear

Pleasure that isn't paid for is as insipid as everything else that's free.

Anita Loos