I have succeeded in arresting some casual wing of thought as it flew, some transient wave of emotion as it subsided… – William Watson, “A Note on Epigram,” 1883

When we see a natural style we are quite amazed and delighted, because we expected to see an author and find a man. РBlaise Pascal, Pens̩es, 1670

Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand. – George Orwell, “Why I Write,” 1947 (Thanks, Jennifer)