People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.

Iris Murdoch

I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility.

John Ruskin

Long before I wrote stories, I listened for stories. Listening for them is something more acute than listening to them. I suppose it's an early form of
participation in what goes on. Listening children know stories are there. When their elders sit and begin, children are just waiting and hoping for one to come out, like a mouse from its hole.

Eudora Welty

Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.

Plutarch

The artist must be an egotist because, like the spider, he draws all his building material from his own breast. But just the same the artist alone among men knows what true humility means. His reach forever exceeds his grasp. He can never be satisfied with his work. He knows when he has done well, but he knows he has never attained his dream. He knows he never can.

Rheta Childe Dorr