Rather than saying 'I hate mess', it might draw more compassion to say, 'mess terrifies me as a harbinger of catastrophe'.

Let death find us as we are building up our matchstick protests against its waves.

To look at the paper is to raise a seashell to one's ear and to be overwhelmed by the roar of humanity.

The more dignity is widely and freely available in a society, the less people want to be famous.

It's very hard to respect people on holiday - everybody looks so silly at the beach, it makes you hate humanity - but when you see people at their work they elicit respect, whether it's a mechanic, a stonemason or an accountant.

To one's enemies: "I hate myself more than you ever could.

The study of maps and the perusal of travel books aroused in me a secret fascination that was at times almost irresistible.