Aphorism, n.: A concise, clever statement you don’t think of until too late. James Alexander Thom More Quotes by James Alexander Thom More Quotes From James Alexander Thom Whether a character in your novel is full of choler, bile, phlegm, blood or plain old buffalo chips, the fire of life is in there, too, as long as that character lives. James Alexander Thom fire writing character Probably the most honest "self-made person" ever was the one we heard say: "I got to the top the hard way - fighting my own laziness and ignorance every step of the way." James Alexander Thom fighting ignorance self We pick bygone time up by the handfuls and, like clay, see if it feels right and then form it into stories about the past. James Alexander Thom clay stories past If there is a rumor in the air about you, you'd better treat it as you would a wasp: either ignore it or kill it with the first blow. Anything else will just stir it up. James Alexander Thom rumor air blow To read Lucia St. Clair Robson is to learn while being thoroughly entertained. Last Train from Cuernavaca puts us through the tragic violence and political treachery of the Mexican Revolution and its consequences so intimately that we feel hunger, lust, thirst, grief, and saddle sores, and admire anew the awesome durability and courage of the people of Mexico-- especially the women. James Alexander Thom mexican grief people For every time we regret keeping still, there are about ten times we regret speaking up. James Alexander Thom speaking-up regret stills A closed mouth gathers no foot. James Alexander Thom silence mouths feet Too often we seek justice for just us. James Alexander Thom justice