The greatest threat to freedom, as well as the most formidable enemy of it, is a supported cause against it.

Years ago I used to think it was possible for a novelist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunman have taken that territory. They make raids on human consciousness. What writers used to do before we were all incorporated.

Much of today's security measures are little more than a panicked response to terrorism and not likely to ever go away because Americans are coming to accept it as normal.

Practice random beauty and senseless acts of love.

The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.

Why is it that an extended olive branch often turns to a clinched fist of hatred?