New York feels like sometimes it's not part of the United States. So does L.A. Chicago feels like it's a big city that's part of America. Jesse Ball americabigchicago Change image and share on social
The crucial thing in any work of any kind is that it must be a gift - the reader must possess it even more than the person who wrote it. It must be given completely. Jesse Ball completelycrucialgift Change image and share on social
As a writer of fiction, lying is the central thing to all books. Jesse Ball bookcentralfiction Change image and share on social
I had a lot of trouble in school to begin with. I got left back in kindergarten, and I was in special education. My teachers didn't have very much faith in me. Jesse Ball backbegineducation Change image and share on social
I just think we're on this rock orbiting a sun that's going to go out, and I don't know that human society is necessarily a wonderful thing for the planet. I think people can be kind to one another and share things, but I don't know that this particular iteration of civilization is to be preferred to any other. Jesse Ball civilizationhumaniteration share on social
As far as I can see, the best writers in the last two hundred years have been Whitman, Rilke, Proust, Kafka. Their best works: 'Leaves of Grass - 1855;' 'Duino Elegies;' 'The Captive & The Fugitive;' 'The Castle.' Jesse Ball captivecastleduino share on social
I think it's a dangerous thing for anyone to have power over other people. Jesse Ball dangerouspeoplepower Change image and share on social
If society is a ship, it appears to many to be firmly at anchor in moral waters. Perhaps this isn't so. Jesse Ball anchorappearfirmly Change image and share on social
I probably like being isolated more than many people do, but I'm lucky to have the friendship of many fine people, and they keep me from becoming very isolated. The world of my mind is certainly a populated and warm place, too. It's difficult for me to become too isolated with such resources. Jesse Ball difficultfinefriendship share on social
I think a book is often an account, or a series of accounts, that create a world that is sort of half of the world. There are references to a world, and then the reader supplies the other fifty percent. Jesse Ball accountbookcreate share on social