When I started writing, I was a great rationalist and believed I was absolutely in control. But the older one gets, the more confused, and for an artist I think that is quite a good thing: you allow in more of your instinctual self; your dreams, fantasies and memories. It's richer, in a way.

Doing what you do well is death. Your duty is to keep trying to do things that you don't do well, in the hope of learning.

I never went to university. I'm self-educated. I didn't go because I was too impatient, too arrogant.

John Banville Quotes