Bernard Malamud

Without heroes, we are all plain people and don't know how far we can go.

If you ever forget you're a Jew, a Gentile will remind you.

Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writing.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

And I feel that it's inevitable that the work that I do will reflect the life that I live. And the life I live feels very diverse.

If you're not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life.