The ablest writer is only a gardener first, and then a cook: his tasks are, carefully to select and cultivate his strongest and most nutritive thoughts; and when they are ripe, to dress them, wholesomely, and yet so that they may have a relish. – Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers

Every word born of an inner necessity — writing must never be anything else. – Etty Hillesum, quoted in Ten Fun Things to Do Before You Die by Karol Jackowski