“Is any man skillful enough to have fashioned himself?”

“Man must have just enough faith in himself to have adventures, and just enough doubt of himself to enjoy them.”

“No man is wise enough by himself.”

“Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer."[1967 interview]”

“You can’t understand what it’s like to have the choice taken away, a man forcing himself on you. Not caring if you want or don’t want… and that powerlessness. Not being strong enough to stop – not having any control. It’s something that never goes away.”

“Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace.”