Christmas, so long looming over everyone's head, finally surged up, buried everyone alive and ebbed away, leaving its victims distinctly cross.

If one cannot invent a really convincing lie, it is often better to stick to the truth.

But human nature cannot be content on a diet of honey and if there is nothing in one's life that requires pity, one must invent it; for to go through life unpitied would be an unthinkable loss.

it is rather depressing to think that one will still be oneself when one is dead, but I dare say one won't be so critical then.

Never economize on luxuries.

If there is one pleasure on earth which surpasses all others, it is leaving a play before the end. I might perhaps except the joy of taking tickets for a play, dining well, sitting on after dinner, and finally not going at all. That, of course, is very heaven.

There are few pleasures like really burrowing one's nose into sweet peas.