The young were always theoretical; only the middle-aged could realize the deadliness of principles.

Here be dragons to be slain, here be rich rewards to gain; If we perish in the seeking, why, how small a thing is death!

[O]ne can scarcely be frightened off writing what one wants to write for fear an obscure reviewer should patronise one on that account.

We shall know what things are of overmastering importance when they have overmastered us.

A person who tells a secret, swearing the recipient to secrecy in turn, is asking of the other person a discretion which he is abrogating himself.

the autobiography is at one and the same time a single element in the series of the writer's created works and an interpretation of the whole series.

Do you know how to pick a lock?" "Not in the least, I'm afraid." "I often wonder what we go to school for," said Wimsey.