The essential self is innocent, and when it tastes its own innocence knows that it lives for ever.

The essential self is innocent, and when it tastes its own innocence knows that it lives for ever.

John Updike

I think books should have secrets, like people do.

I think books should have secrets, like people do.

Religion enables us to ignore nothingness and get on with the jobs of life.

Religion enables us to ignore nothingness and get on with the jobs of life.

A healthy male adult bore consumes each year one and a half times his own weight in other people's patience.

A healthy male adult bore consumes each year one and a half times his own weight in other people's patience.

The heart prefers to move against the grain of circumstance; perversity is the souls very life.

The heart prefers to move against the grain of circumstance; perversity is the souls very life.

Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism.

Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism.

The days are short, The sun a spark Hung thin between The dark and dark.

The days are short, The sun a spark Hung thin between The dark and dark.

Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.

Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.

America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy.

America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy.

Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what it is one is saying.

Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what it is one is saying.

Chaos is God's body. Order is the Devil's chains.

Chaos is God's body. Order is the Devil's chains.

Do what the heart commands. The heart is our only guide.

Do what the heart commands. The heart is our only guide.

We are most alive when we're in love.

We are most alive when we're in love.

Our lives fade behind us before we die.

Our lives fade behind us before we die.

If you have the guts to be yourself, other people'll pay your price.

If you have the guts to be yourself, other people'll pay your price.

It's great to have an enemy. Sharpens your senses.

It's great to have an enemy. Sharpens your senses.

Sex is like money; only too much is enough.

Sex is like money; only too much is enough.

I want to write books that unlock the traffic jam in everybody's head.

I want to write books that unlock the traffic jam in everybody's head.

Living is a compromise, between doing what you want and doing what other people want.

Living is a compromise, between doing what you want and doing what other people want.