"The great advantage of being a writer is that you can spy on people. You're there, listening to every word, but part of you is observing. Everything is useful to a writer, every scrap, even the longest and most boring of luncheon parties."

There is no shortcut in science, only down-to-earth work.

The writer must be a perpetual questioner, a doubter of all certainties.

Every thought serves some biological purpose.

Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not at hand.