I never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this.['s Venomous Fiction, New York Times, April 19, 1992] - Cormac McCarthy
Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like a toad, though ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in its head. - William Shakespeare
Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head; And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything. - William Shakespeare