I wanted readers to be genuinely unsure as to whether she's telling the truth or lying. It meant making her partly sympathetic, and partly unsympathetic, which wasn't easy.

Until the June 1967 war I was completely caught up in the life of a young professor of English. Beginning in 1968, I started to think, write, and travel as someone who felt himself to be directly involved in the renaissance of Palestinian life and politics.

Edward Said

I believe every child has the right to a mother and a father. Men and women are not the same. That's not to say they're not entitled to equal rights, but they are not the same.

Mark Davis

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too ill and is not obliged to work till one is better.

Samuel Butler

The truth is so often disappointing, or ugly; don't you find that, ?

Laurell K Hamilton

While we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me: The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return.

Eden Ahbez

Writing is thinking on paper.

William Zinsser

Modern societies march towards morality in proportion as they leave religion behind.

Paul Bert

I feel like men are more romantic than women. When we get married we marry, like, one girl, 'cause we're resistant the whole way until we meet one girl and we think I'd be an idiot if I didn't marry this girl she's so great. But it seems like girls get to a place where they just kinda pick the best option... 'Oh he's got a good job.' I mean they spend their whole life looking for Prince Charming and then they marry the guy who's got a good job and is gonna stick around.

Blue Valentine

The proclamation and repetition of first principles is a constant feature of life in our democracy. Active adherence to these principles, however, has always been considered un-American. We recipients of the boon of liberty have always been ready, when faced with discomfort, to discard any and all first principles of liberty, and, further, to indict those who do not freely join with us in happily arrogating those principles.

David Mamet

Some people strengthen the society just by being the kind of people they are.

John W. Gardner

Deceit is the game of petty spirits, and that is by nature a woman's quality.

Pierre Corneille

The thought of our past years in me doth breed perpetual benedictions.

William Wordsworth