English literature is a kind of training in social ethics. English trains you to handle a body of information in a way that is conducive to action. – Marilyn Butler
To really be centered and to really work well and to think about the kinds of things that I need to think about, I need to spend large amounts of time alone. – Donna Tartt
People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives. – J. Michael Straczynski
It is so often true that whether a person carries with him an atmosphere of gloom and depression or one of confidence and courage depends on his individual outlook. – James Keller
