“people who say its a long story, mean it's a stupid short one that they are too embarrassed and couldn't be bothered to tell”

“People always say life is too short for regrets. But the truth is, it's too long.”

“There is a certain embarrassment about being a storyteller in these times when stories are considered not quite as satisfying as statements and statements not quite as satisfying as statistics; but in the long run, a people is known, not by its statements or its statistics, but by the stories it tells.”

“When a war breaks out, people say: "It's too stupid; it can't last long." But though a war may well be "too stupid," that doesn't prevent its lasting. Stupidity has a knack of getting its way; as we should see if we were not always so much wrapped up in ourselves.”

“...it's not the stories - it's the pain and the joy and the people who stay with you long after the stories are told ...”

“Belong to a religion? Doesn't bother me if you do, as long as it's not one that says to stop thinking and be loud about it.”