Because her instinct has told her, or because she has been reliably informed, the faded virgin knows that the supreme joys are not for her; she knows by a process of the intellect; but she can feel her deprivation no more than the young mother can feel the hardship of the virgin's lot.

The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.

If you've ever really been poor you remain poor at heart all your life. I've often walked when I could very well afford to take a taxi because I simply couldn't bring myself to waste the shilling it would cost.

A man of sixty has spent twenty years in bed and over three years in eating.

It is difficult to make a reputation, but is even more difficult seriously to mar a reputation once properly made --- so faithful is the public.

Always behave as if nothing had happened, no matter what has happened.

There is no magic method of beginning... Take hold of your nerves, and jump.