Fiction was invented the day Jonas arrived home and told his wife that he was three days late because he had been swallowed by a whale.

In journalism just one fact that is false prejudices the entire work. In contrast, in fiction one single fact that is true gives legitimacy to the entire work. That's the only difference, and it lies in the commitment of the writer. A novelist can do anything he wants so long as he makes people believe in it.

Ultimately, literature is nothing but carpentry. With both you are working with reality, a material just as hard as wood.

Nobody deserves your tears, but whoever deserves them will not make you cry.

No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing.

He who awaits much can expect little.