Life... is not simply a series of exciting new ventures. The future is not always a whole new ball game. There tends to be unfinished business. One trails all sorts of things around with one, things that simply won't be got rid of.

You never know what you will learn till you start writing. Then you discover truths you never knew existed.

I need noise and interruptions and irritation: irritation and discomfort are a great starter. The loneliness of doing it any other way would kill me.

I suppose what one wants really is ideal company and books are ideal company.

I was brought up among the sort of self-important women who had a husband as one has an alibi.

And without understanding, could each properly love the other?

All good fortune is a gift of the gods, and you don't win the favor of the ancient gods by being good, but by being bold.