The only way to write a great book is to write it with the eyes of a child who sees things for the first time.

A sense of the value of time... is an essential preliminary to efficient work; it is the only method of avoiding hurry.

Mother is far too clever to understand anything she does not like.

I think it rather fine, this necessity for the tense bracing of the will before anything worth doing can be done. I rather like it myself. I feel it is to be the chief thing that differentiates me from the cat by the fire.

A cause may be inconvenient, but it's magnificent. It's like champagne or high heels, and one must be prepared to suffer for it.

The moment you're born you're done for.

The real Tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort-he never stretches to his full capacity, never stands up to his full stature.