Editing should be, especially in the case of old writers, a counseling rather than a collaborating task. The tendency of the writer-editor to collaborate is natural, but he should say to himself, ''How can I help this writer to say…

Quote by James Thurber

Topics: Writers Quotes

The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste, and the only limitations those...

The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste, and the only limitations those...

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known...

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known...

Man is flying too fast for a world that is round. Soon he will catch...

Man is flying too fast for a world that is round. Soon he will catch...

There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception.

There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception.

The difference between our decadence and the Russians' is that while theirs is brutal, ours...

The difference between our decadence and the Russians' is that while theirs is brutal, ours...

Let the meek inherit the earth - they have it coming to them

Let the meek inherit the earth - they have it coming to them

My opposition to Interviews lies in the fact that offhand answers have little value or...

My opposition to Interviews lies in the fact that offhand answers have little value or...

But what is all this fear of and opposition to Oblivion? What is the matter...

But what is all this fear of and opposition to Oblivion? What is the matter...

Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.

Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.

You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward.

You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward.

Boys are beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between...

Boys are beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between...

Things have dropped from me. I have outlived certain desires; I have lost friends, some...

Things have dropped from me. I have outlived certain desires; I have lost friends, some...

Nowadays men lead lives of noisy desperation.

Nowadays men lead lives of noisy desperation.

Laughter need not be cut out of anything, since it improves everything.

Laughter need not be cut out of anything, since it improves everything.

Love is like the wind. You cannot see it... But you can feel it.

Love is like the wind. You cannot see it... But you can feel it.

Boys are beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between...

Boys are beyond the range of anybody's sure understanding, at least when they are between...

Some American writers who have known each other for years have never met in the...

Some American writers who have known each other for years have never met in the...

The laughter of man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms hollow,...

The laughter of man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms hollow,...

Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?

Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.