I take people very seriously. People are all I take seriously, in fact. Therefore, I have nothing but sympathy for how people behave – and nothing but laughter to console them with. – John Irving
And I find – Im 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasnt diminished any. Thats the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone. – John Irving
I have pretty thick skin, and I think if youre going to be in this business, if youre going to be an actor or a writer, you better have a thick skin. – John Irving
I think the sport of wrestling, which I became involved with at the age of 14… I competed until I was 34, kind of old for a contact sport. I coached the sport until I was 47. I think the discipline of wrestling has given me the discipline I have to write. – John Irving