“And that is just the point... how the world, moist and beautiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That's the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. "Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?”

“How heron comes It is a negligence of the mind not to notice how at dusk heron comes to the pond and stands there in his death robes, perfect servant of the system, hungry, his eyes full of attention, his wings pure light”

“All my lifeI have been restless--I have felt there is somethingmore wonderful than gloss--than wholeness--than staying at home.”

“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.”

“When will you have a little pity for every soft thing that walks through the world, yourself included.”

“Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word that he can spare.”

“I served with General Washington in die Legislature of Virginia...and...with Doctor Franklin in Congress. I never heard neither of them speak ten minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point.”

“All pleasantry should be short; and it might even be as well were the serious short also.”