Though he had very little Latin beyond "Cave canem," he had, as a young dog, devoured Shakespeare (in a tasty leather binding).

Death is too much to ask of the living.

Oh, comfortable cocoa!

The Devil's out of fashion.

People's clothes ought to be buried with them.

What a tiny list of friends I have! All my fault. I less and less want to see people.

Certain unique books seem to be without forerunners or successors as far as their authors are concerned. Even though they may profoundly influence the work of other writers, for their creator they're complete, not leading anywhere.