“When I was born, my parents and my mother's parents planted a dogwood ...” — John Updike Quote

“When I was born, my parents and my mother's parents planted a dogwood tree in the side yard of the large white house in which we lived throughout my boyhood. This tree I learned quite early, was exactly my age - was, in a sense, me.”

“I'm a dull person.”

“The inner spaces that a good story lets us enter are the old apartments of religion.”

“I ask you to pray for me, for once age has overtaken us, we find consolation only in religion.”

“If you're old, don't try to change yourself, change your environment.”

“I don't regret not going to college. Students learn up to the age of 21, then stop. I'll always be learning - the things that really matter in life. How to sign on, how to get free food, how to be streetwise.”