Shel Silverstein’s thoughts on . . .

Fashion: “Who is this ‘they’ and what difference does it make what they’re wearing? I’ll wear what I want to wear.”

Explaining his work: “You should never explain the philosophy behind anything you do, it’s not important. If your work is weak and needs to be explained, it’s not clear enough.”

Timing: “It’s just as disastrous to be way ahead of your time as to be way behind.”

Experiencing life: “I want to go everywhere, look at and listen to everything. You can go crazy with some of the wonderful stuff there is in life.”

Change: “I’d like to be happy with one thing, it would save a lot of energy. What makes me happy is changing all the time.”

Dealing with death: “You’re not supposed to get over it. My father died eight years ago and I think of him every day. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”

Relationships: “You must relate to other people. You get the joys you get from being in a relationship, and also the pain.”