Most nations, as well as people are impossible only in their youth; they become incorrigible as they grow older.

I undertake the same project as Montaigne, but with an aim contrary to his own: for he wrote his Essays only for others, and I write my reveries only for myself.

Those that are most slow in making a promise are the most faithful in the performance of it.

Remorse sleeps during prosperity but awakes bitter consciousness during adversity.

I've written a lot of books now; I've been published for over 30 years. I hope with every book I learn something new, and with every new novel I try to improve the process of writing.

I've never been one to learn scales and do exercises. Maybe I'm lazy, but I just don't take to that kind of thing. Learning other people's songs is enjoyable, and my fingers tend to go to new places because I'm not playing my music, the stuff that comes naturally to me.

Credentials are critical if you want to do something professional. If you want to become a doctor or lawyer or teacher or professor, there is a credentialing process. But there are a lot of other things where it's not clear they're that important.

My brother's a teacher in Costa Rica and actually does a more important and significant job than I will ever do.