Thornton

I know that every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment on the razor-edge of danger and must be fought for...

Life is an unbroken succession of false situations.

The planting of trees is the least self-centered of all that we can do. It is a purer act of faith than the procreation of children.

Literature is the orchestration of platitudes.

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate--that's my philosophy.

Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are fools and the rest of us are in great danger of contagion.

Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.

I do borrow from other writers, shamelessly I can only say in my defense, like the woman brought before the judge on a charge of kleptomania, I do steal, but, your Honor, only from the very best stores.

The test of an adventure is that when you're in the middle of it, you say to yourself, 'Oh, now I've got myself into an awful mess I wish I were sitting quietly at home.' And the sign that something's wrong with you is when you sit quietly at home wishing you were out having lots of adventure.

Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day.