"It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day - that is the highest of arts."

"The way to rock oneself back into writing is this. First, gentle exercise in the air. Second, the reading of good literature. It is a mistake to think that literature can be produced from the raw."