I have myself always been terrified of plagiarism - of being accused of it, that is. Every writer is a thief, though some of us are more clever than others at disguising our robberies. The reason writers are such slow… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
The reason 'closure' is a cliche is that it is used too often, too imprecisely, and doesn't in any case reflect reality. In reality, such closure in broken friendships and much else in life is rarely achieved; only death brings… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
I am basically a complainer and all the grounds for complaint have been swept out from under me. — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
I was recently asked what it takes to become a writer. Three things, I answered: first, one must cultivate incompetence at almost every other… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
“To be in the middle of composing a book is almost always to feel oneself in a state of confusion, doubt and mental imprisonment....” — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
We who are quotatious are never truly alone, but always hear the cheerful flow of remarks made by dead writers so much more intelligent… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
Culture means, I think, that you have widened your experience enough through reading and through being a little bit thoughtful about these things that… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
Food has it over sex for variety. Hedonistically, gustatory possibilities are much broader than copulatory ones. — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
“Getting rid of most of my personal library comported nicely with my longheld fantasy of traveling light, existing with minimal encumbrances, living simply. A… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
Envy is never general, but always very particular - at least envy of the kind one feels strongly. — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
Many moons ago dictionaries of quotations may have been less needed than they are today. In those good/bad old days, people walked around with… — Joseph Epstein Copy Share Image
