Anyone who acquires more than the usual amount of knowledge concerning a subject is bound to leave it as his contribution to the knowledge of the world.

Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is 'The Book of British Birds ' and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology.

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information upon it.

I think intelligence is totally subjective it's like sexiness.

I do love to eavesdrop. It's inspirational not only for subject matter but for actual dialogue the way people talk.

Melville brought to the task a sound knowledge of actual whaling much curious learning in the literature of the subject and above all an imagination which worked with great power upon the facts of his own experience.

Every day the eye is subject to a thousand tiny shocks as a thousand industries compete for the eye-kick the visual hook that will lock the consumer into product for that crucial second where the tiny - or not so tiny - leap of the imagination is made.

I had been a reporter for 15 years when I set out to write my first novel. I knew how to research an article or profile a subject - skills that I assumed would be useless when it came to fiction. It was from my imagination that the characters in my story would emerge.

Well the fact is that one imagination is critically important and if you have had your imagination stimulated by what is basically a variety of subjects you are much more amenable to accepting to understanding and interacting with the realities of the world.

I like something where I can really use my imagination and be an active participant in the construction of the monster and usually that's in the world of the supernatural or the world of the fantastic so that's why those kinds of stories about demons and the supernatural appeal to me or maybe I'm really interested in that subject.

With humor it's so subjective that trying to think of what the ideal reader would think would drive you crazy.

I am inclined to attach some importance to the new system of manufacturing and venture to throw it out with the hope of its receiving a full discussion among those who are most interestedin the subject.

Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.

It seems disingenuous to ask a writer why she or he is writing about a violent subject when the world and history are filled with violence.

The subject matter is very tricky. It's about the Munich massacre and what Mossad did afterwards with the assassination squads. I think it's a turning point in history especially for the Palestinians.

The subject of history is the gradual realization of all that is practically necessary.

The German national character is a favorite subject of character experts probably because the less mature a nation the more she is an object of criticism and not of history.

Big Brother is on the march. A plan to subject all children to mental health screening is underway and the pharmaceuticals are gearing up for bigger sales of psychotropic drugs.

For that story I took as my subject a young woman whom I got to know over the course of a couple of visits. I never saw her having any health problems - but I knew she wanted to be married.

A teacher must believe in the value and interest of his subject as a doctor believes in health.

An order of government established by such an all-wise powerful being must be good and perfect and must be calculated to promote the permanent peace happiness and well-being of all his subjects.

The three great problems of this century the degradation of man in the proletariat the subjection of women through hunger the atrophy of the child by darkness.

Great is truth but still greater from a practical point of view is silence about truth. By simply not mentioning certain subjects... totalitarian propagandists have influenced opinion much more effectively than they could have by the most eloquent denunciations.

The Government and the Parliament even the House of Lords will consent to a large increase of electors and men who have not considered the subject fully will imagine they have gained much by the concession.