Nothing is more dreadful than a cold, unimpassioned indulgence. And love infallibly becomes cold and unimpassioned when it is too lightly made.

Europe is so well gardened that it resembles a work of art, a scientific theory, a neat metaphysical system. Man has re-created Europe in his own image.

The creation by word-power of something out of nothing--what is that but magic? And, may I add, what is that but literature?

I'm sick. I've eaten civilisation and I'm sick.

War is often described as a law of nature-this is not true: Among the lower animals, war is unknown.

It is natural to believe in God when you're alone-- quite alone, in the night, thinking about death.

The trouble with fiction," said John Rivers, "is that it makes too much sense. Reality never makes sense.