Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.

The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.

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.

When I am writing, my problems become invisible and I am the same person I always was. All is well. I am as I should be.

I'm quite content to spend my life helping young people find themselves. I've had my fill of politics.