Philosophers are divided on the question of whether the narrative therein unfolded [the Crossman Diaries] is grippingly boring or boringly gripping.

In between the Queen and the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, sat Tony Richardson, looking very calm. Later on it emerged that this was because, having not been apprised of the placement until he was about to sit down, he had died of fright. To have expired was to be fortunate.

One way or another, all the poets of the thirties and forties reacted to Auden, either by rejecting him or trying to absorb him.

You should never trust anyone who listens to Mahler before they're forty.

Mocking Hugh Hefner is easy to do, and in my mind should be made easier.

The British secret service was staffed at one point almost entirely by alcoholic homosexuals working for the KGB

I've only got a fraction of the energy I once had, but I think I probably use it better.