"All history is but a romance, unless it is studied as an example."

“A monk's extraordinary patience can be a hindrance to desperate decision-making.”

“A true university can never rest upon the will of one man. A true university always rests upon the wills of many divergent-minded old men, who refuse to be disturbed, but who growl in their kennels.”

“Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writing.”

Source : "Reflections of a Writer: Long Work, Short Life". The New York Times, March 20, 1988.

“Probably the label 'Jesus freak' is fine with me. Because I know who I am.”

“The paradox: there can be no pilgrimage without a destination, but the destination is also not the real point of the endeavor. Not the destination, but the willingness to wander in pursuit characterizes pilgrimage. Willingness: to hear the tales along the way, to make the casual choices of travel, to acquiesce even to boredom. That's pilgrimage -- a mind full of journey.”

Source : Patricia Hampl (1993). “Spillville: A Collaboration”, Milkweed Editions

“Anyone willing to give up liberty in exchange for security deserves neither.”

“My father taught me to not fear anything. Having said that, much of my addiction to alcohol and drugs was tied to fear: fear of flying, fear of talking to women, etc. I conquered those fears years ago.”

Source : "Q&A: 10 Questions With Hockey Legend Derek Sanderson". "George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight ", www.cbc.ca. October 27, 2012.

“Would you respect me if I didn't have this gun? Cause without it, I don't get it, and that's why I carry one.”