One loses the capacity to grieve as a child grieves, or to rage as a child rages: hotly, despairingly, with tears of passion. One grows up, one becomes civilized, one learns one's manners, and consequently can no longer manage these two functions - sorrow and anger - adequately.

Like many rich men, he thought in anecdotes; like many simple women, she thought in terms of biography.

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

And without understanding, could each properly love the other?

Dr Weiss, at forty, knew that her life had been ruined by literature.

The evening passes somehow; I watch television with Nancy, or I write. It is difficult, not having a family, and it is difficult to explain. I always go to bed early. And I am always ready for Monday morning, that time that other people dread.

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