“To own a certain book - and to choose it without help - is to define yourself.”

“There are certain mysteries, certain secrets in my own work, which even I don't understand, nor do I try to do so.... Critics should help people see for themselves; they should never try to define things, or impose their own explanations, though I admit that if – as nearly always happens – a critic's explanations serve to increase the general obscurity that’s all to the good. French poets are particularly helpful in this respect.”

“I love books, by the way, way more than movies. Movies tell you what to think. A good book lets you choose a few thoughts for yourself.”

“Defining yourself through thought is limiting yourself.”

“There is no peace of mind without finding yourself. Know yourself, or just find the location of your own soul.”

“The thoughts we choose to act upon define us to others, the ones we do not define us to ourselves.”

“Allow the world to live as it chooses, and allow yourself to live as you choose.”

“When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself”

“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.”

“If you don't get out there and define yourself, you'll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others”