To care passionately for another human creature brings always more sorrow than joy; but at the same time, Elinor, one would not be without experience. Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived.

Writers are diffident creatures -- they need encouragement.

I am all that there is of the most real.

An appreciative listener is always stimulating.

marriage is an extraordinary thing - and I doubt if any outsider - even a child of the marriage - has the right to judge.

I've a theory that one can always get anything one wants if one will pay the price. And do you know what the price is, nine times out of ten? Compromise.

Authors were shy, unsociable creatures, atoning for their lack of social aptitude by inventing their own companions and conversations.