The past exudes legend: one can't make pure clay of time's mud. There is no life that can be recaptured wholly; as it was.Which is to say that all biography is ultimately fiction. Bernard Malamud More Quotes by Bernard Malamud More Quotes From Bernard Malamud How can we be strangers if we both believe in God? Bernard Malamud believe-in-god stranger believe Reader, I am myself the subject of my book; you would be unreasonable to spend your leisure on so frivolous and so vain a matter. Bernard Malamud would-be matter book We have in my country (Russia) a quotation: "It is impossible to make out of apology a fur coat. Bernard Malamud apology russia country Tomorrow the world is not the same as today, though God listens with the same ear. Bernard Malamud change ears world Prufrock had measured out his life with measuring spoons; Dubin, in books resurrecting the lives of others. Bernard Malamud inspire life book When I don't feel hurt, I hope they bury me. Bernard Malamud hurt feels We're persecuted in the most civilized languages. Bernard Malamud persecuted civilized language ... we are all terribly alone no matter what people say. Bernard Malamud loneliness matter people Completed, most lives were alike in stages of living-joys, celebrations, crises, illusions, losses, sorrows. Bernard Malamud loss joy life A man had to learn, it was his nature. Bernard Malamud learning men There are no wrong books. What's wrong is the fear of them. Bernard Malamud fixers book Nationality isn't soul. Bernard Malamud nationality soul Politics isn't in my nature. Bernard Malamud politics A writer is a spectator, looking at everything with a highly critical eye. Bernard Malamud spectators alaska eye If you don't hear His voice so let Him hear yours. When prayers go up blessings descend. Bernard Malamud voice prayer blessing Ithink Isaid'All menare Jews excepttheydon't know it.'I doubt I expected anyone to take the statement literally. But I think it's an understandable statement and a metaphoric way of indicating how history, sooner or later, treats all men. Bernard Malamud doubt men thinking If you ever forget you're a Jew, a Gentile will remind you. Bernard Malamud remind will you forget We have two lives the one we learn with and the life we live after that. Bernard Malamud learn live life two