Existentialism is about being a saint without God; being your own hero, without all the sanction and support of religion or society.

The essence of romantic love is that wonderful beginning, after which sadness and impossibility may become the rule.

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

Writing novels preserves you in a state of innocence - a lot passes you by - simply because your attention is otherwise diverted.

You can never betray the people who are dead, so you go on being a public Jew; the dead can't answer slurs, but I'm here. I would love to think that Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, but he doesn't.

It will be a pity if women in the more conventional mould are to be phased out, for there will never be anyone to go home to.

A man of such obvious and exemplary charm must be a liar.