Surround yourself with the best people you can find delegate authority and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out.

Literature isn't a moral beauty contest. Its power arises from the authority and audacity with which the impersonation is pulled off the belief it inspires is what counts.

As an inspiration to the author I do not think the cat can be over-estimated. He suggests so much grace power beauty motion mysticism. I do not wonder that many writers love cats I am only surprised that all do not.

At home in Ireland there's a habit of avoidance an ironical attitude towards the authority figure.

Becoming an author changes your attitude too. Once you see where books come from and how they're made they never seem quite as sacred again.

Let us be true: this is the highest maxim of art and of life the secret of eloquence and of virtue and of all moral authority.

I thought it was amazing to work with authors to get a manuscript and try to make up a cover for it.

The secret to being a writer is that you have to write. It's not enough to think about writing or to study literature or plan a future life as an author. You really have to lock yourself away alone and get to work.

I am very averse to bringing myself forward in print but as my account will only appear as an appendage to a former production and as it will be confined to such topics as have connection with my authorship alone I can hardly accuse myself of a personal intrusion.

To be free in an age like ours one must be in a position of authority. That in itself would be enough to make me ambitious.

Age appears to be best in four things old wood best to burn old wine to drink old friends to trust and old authors to read.