We each appear to hold within ourselves a range of divergent views as to our native qualities.. And amid such uncertainty, we typically turn to the wider world to settle the question of our significance.. we seem beholden to affections of others to endure ourselves.

When Proust urges us to evaluate the world properly, he repeatedly reminds us of the value of modest scenes.

It should not be Illiers-Combray that we visit: a genuine homage to Proust would be to look at our world through his eyes, not look at his world through our eyes.

Mental health: having enough safe places in your mind for your thoughts to settle.

The moment we cry in a film is not when things are sad but when they turn out to be more beautiful than we expected them to be.

One of love's greatest drawbacks is that, for a while at least, it is in danger of making us happy.

Good sex isn't just fun, it keeps us sane and happy. Having sex with someone makes us feel wanted, alive and potent.