Is man’s civilization only a wrappage, through which the savage nature of him can still burst, infernal as ever? – Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution, vol III, book V, chapter 7
Let there be a small country with few people . . . Though neighboring communities overlook one another and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs can be heard, Yet the people there may grow old and die without ever visiting one another. – Lao-Tzu
For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again. – Howard Nemerov
Every piece of entertainment is made with the idea that This is going to be terrific and This is the best thing Ive ever done and then it hits the public and then the public tells you whether its good or bad. – William Shatner
