The surest sign of age is loneliness. Annie Dillard on age
There is a certain age at which a child looks at you in all earnestness and delivers a long, pleased speech in all the true inflections of spoken English, but with not one recognizable syllable. Annie Dillard on age
It's a little silly to finally learn how to write at this age. But I long ago realized I was secretly sincere. Annie Dillard on age
People love pretty much the same things best. A writer looking for subjects inquires not after what he loves best, but after what he alone loves at all. Annie Dillard on alone
Buddhism notes that it is always a mistake to think your soul can go it alone. Annie Dillard on alone
As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker. Annie Dillard on beauty
It is ironic that the one thing that all religions recognize as separating us from our creator, our very self-consciousness, is also the one thing that divides us from our fellow creatures. It was a bitter birthday present from evolution. Annie Dillard on birthday
You can't test courage cautiously. Annie Dillard on courage
I would like to learn, or remember, how to live. Annie Dillard on education
Eskimo: 'If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?' Priest: 'No, not if you did not know.' Eskimo: 'Then why did you tell me?' Annie Dillard on god
Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark. Annie Dillard on imagination
There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind. Annie Dillard on nature
As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker. Annie Dillard on religion
A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time. Annie Dillard on time
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. Annie Dillard on inspiration