The human being is a most curious creature. He thinks he has got one soul, and he has got dozens.

The world fears a new experience more than it fears anything. Because a new experience displaces so many old experiences. . . . The world doesn't fear a new idea. It can pigeon-hole any idea. But it can't pigeon-hole a real new experience.

The essential function of art is moral. But a passionate, implicit morality, not didactic. A morality which changes the blood, rather than the mind.

You don't learn algebra with your blessed soul. Can't you look at it with your clear simple wits?

It's better to be born lucky than rich. If you're rich, you may lose your money, but if you're born lucky, you will always have more money.

But that is how men are! Ungrateful and never satisfied. When you don't have them they hate you because you won't; and when you do have them they hate you again, for some other reason. Or for no reason at all, except that they are discontented children, and can't be satisfied whatever they get, let a woman do what she may.

I cannot cure myself of that most woeful of youth's follies - thinking that those who care about us will care for the things that mean much to us.