Iris Murdoch

All art is a struggle to be, in a particular sort of way, virtuous.

I think being a woman is like being Irish. Everyone says you're important and nice, but you take second place all the same.

Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out.

It's true - women want the fantasy. So give them romance - but without the desperation, wondering, and waiting you see in the movies.

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.

It took me realizing that a broken heart has never actually killed anyone to find the courage to ask for what I want, in just about every situation. That was part of my own growing up.