In every great novel, who is the hero all the time? Not any of the characters, but some unnamed and nameless flame behind them all.

And every true artist is the salvation of every other. But only artists produce for each other the world that is fit to live in.

I love Italian opera - it's so reckless. Damn Wagner, and his bellowings at Fate and death. Damn Debussy, and his averted face. I like the Italians who run all on impulse, and don't care about their immortal souls, and don't worry about the ultimate.

Protestantism came and gave a great blow to the religious and ritualistic rhythm of the year, in human life. Non-conformity almostfinished the deed.... Mankind has got to get back to the rhythm of the cosmos, and the permanence of marriage.

I have a very great fear of love. It is so personal. Let each bird fly with its own wings, and each fish swim its own course.--Morning brings more than love. And I want to be true to the morning.

I never know when I sit down, just what I am going to write. I make no plan; it just comes, and I don't know where it comes from.

While we live, let us live.