There Is Only One World

I Am Persuaded That Not A Novel In Ten Thousand Is Of Any Use To A Child To Fit Him For Life. The Most Are Of Use Only To Unfit Him -- To Blunt His Senses And Infect Him With The Writers' Poor Silly Sentiments. Nine Out Of Ten Novelists Deserve To Be Prosecuted Under An Adulterated Emotions Act.

Language Is One Of The Thin Walls Humanity Has Built Up Over Centuries Against Its Own Bestial And Destructive Impulses.

A Writer's First Duty Is To Be Clear. Clarity Is An Excellent Virtue. Like All Virtues It Can Be Pursued At Ruinous Cost. Paid, So Far As I Am Concerned, Joyfully.

Surprise Will Be My Last Emotion, Not Fear.

Think Of All The Really Successful Men And Women You Know. Do You Know A Single One Who Didn't Learn Very Young The Trick Of Calling Attention To Himself In The Right Quarters?