Raymond Chandler

"An age which is incapable of poetry is incapable of any kind of literature except the cleverness of a decadence."

"Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little away from his need or desire to write at all. In the end he knows all the tricks and has nothing to say."

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

"The minute you try to talk business with him he takes the attitude that he is a gentleman and a scholar, and the moment you try to approach him on the level of his moral integrity he starts to talk business."

"The minute you try to talk business with him he takes the attitude that he is a gentleman and a scholar, and the moment you try to approach him on the level of his moral integrity he starts to talk business."

"He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food."