In my later years I have sought to become simpler, straighter and purer in my handling of the language. I've had many writing hero...es, writers who have influenced me. Of the ones still alive, I can think of E.B. White. I certainly admire the pure, crystal stream of his prose. When I was very young as a sportswriter I knowingly and unashamedly imitated others. I had a series of heroes who would delight me for a while and I'd imitate them--Damon Runyon, Westbrook Pegler, Joe Williams.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The man who invented Eskimo Pie made a million dollars, so one is told, but E.E. Cummings, whose verse has been appearing off and ...on for three years now, and whose experiments should not be more appalling to those interested in poetry than the experiment of surrounding ice-cream with a layer of chocolate was to those interested in soda fountains, has hardly made a dent in the doughy minds of our so-called poetry lovers.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Mo Williams: Some people peddle apples, lamb chops, lumber. I peddle information. Skip ain't sorry; he understands. We live in a d...ifferent kind of world. Oh, once in a while he gets a little hot under the collar if I sell him short. Candy: But you wouldn't sell him to a Commie! Mo Williams: What do you think I am, an informer?!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Williams. I pray you, what thinks he of our estate? King Henry. Even as men wrecked upon a sand, that look to be... washed off the next tide.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I am loaded down to the guards with educational, benevolent, and other miscellaneous public work, I must not attempt to do more. I... cannot without neglecting imperative duties.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The gloomy theology of the orthodox--the Calvinists--I do not, I cannot believe. Many of the notions--nay, most of the notions--wh...ich orthodox people have of the divinity of the Bible, I disbelieve. I am so nearly infidel in all my views, that too, in spite of my wishes, that none but the most liberal doctrines can command my assent.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »