My own experience is that once a story has been written, one has to cross out the beginning and the end. It is there that we authors do most of our lying.

It's easier to write about Socrates than about a young woman or a cook.

An artist observes, selects, guesses, and synthesizes.

When performing an autopsy, even the most inveterate spiritualist would have to question where the soul is.

When asked, "Why do you always wear black?", he said, "I am mourning for my life.

Ah, Caviar! I keep on eating it, but can never get my fill. Like olives. It's a lucky thing it's not salty.

There should be more sincerity and heart in human relations, more silence and simplicity in our interactions. Be rude when you're angry, laugh when something is funny, and answer when you're asked.