The secret motive of the absent-minded is to be innocent while guilty. Absent-mindedness is spurious innocence. Saul Bellow More Quotes by Saul Bellow More Quotes From Saul Bellow I have, perhaps, a slave-like constitution which is too easily restrained by bonds; it then becomes rebellious and bursts out in a comic revolution. Saul Bellow constitution rebellious revolution And what about all the good I have in my heart - does it mean anything? Saul Bellow doe heart mean Language is a spiritual mansion in which you live and nobody has the right to evict you. Saul Bellow mansions language spiritual I would like to explain that I consider prayer above all an act of gratitude for existence. Saul Bellow gratitude existence prayer I am an American – Chicago born. Saul Bellow born chicago I have begun in old age to understand...that we seldom if ever realize how generous we are to ourselves, and just how stingy with others. Saul Bellow stingy realizing age Everybody knows there is no fineness or accuracy of suppression; if you hold down one thing, you hold down the adjoining. Saul Bellow suppression accuracy oppression Americans must be the most sententious people in history. Far too busy to be religious, they have always felt that they sorely needed guidance. Saul Bellow religious busy people It's hard for writers to get on with their work if they are convinced that they owe a concrete debt to experience and cannot allow themselves the privilege of ranging freely through social classes and professional specialties. A certain pride in their own experience, perhaps a sense of the property rights of others in their experience, holds them back. Saul Bellow pride rights class It seems hard for the American people to believe that anything could be more exciting than the times themselves. What we read daily and view on the TV has thrust imagined forms into the shadow. We are staggeringly rich in facts, in things, and perhaps, like the nouveau riche of other ages, we want our wealth faithfully reproduced by the artist. Saul Bellow artist views believe And I'm convinced that knowing the names of things braces people up. Saul Bellow knowing names people Let the enemies of life step down. Saul Bellow steps life enemy A writer is a reader moved to emulation. Saul Bellow emulation reader writing As for types like my own, obscurely motivated by the conviction that our existence was worthless if we didn't make a turning point of it, we were assigned to the humanities, to poetry, philosophy, painting - the nursery games of humankind, which had to be left behind when the age of science began. The humanities would be called upon to choose a wallpaper for the crypt, as the end drew near. Saul Bellow philosophy science art Fun comes hard - like, alas, its prarens, pleasure and happiness, whom we have to pursue. Saul Bellow pursue pleasure fun Certain blood will be given for half certain reasons, as in all wars. Saul Bellow half war blood You're all alone when you're a writer. Sometimes you just feel you need a humanity bath. Even a ride on the subway will do that. But it's much more interesting to talk about books. After all, that's what life used to be for writers: they talk books, politics, history, America. Nothing has replaced that. Saul Bellow book america interesting I am moneys medium. It passes through me- taxes, insurance, mortgage, child support, rent, legal fees. All this dignified blundering costs plenty. Saul Bellow support cost children I am more stupid about some things than others; not equally stupid in all directions; I am not a well-rounded person. Saul Bellow well-rounded wells stupid Death is the black backing on the mirror that allows us to see anything at all. Saul Bellow black mirrors
