The fact is we can only love what we know personally. And we cannot know much. In public affairs, in the rebuilding of civilization, something less dramatic and emotional is needed, namely tolerance.

Beauty ought to look a little surprised: it is the emotion that best suits her face. The beauty who does not look surprised, who accepts her position as her due - she reminds us too much of a prima donna.

'A friend,' he repeated, sentimental suddenly. 'Someone to last your whole life and you his. I suppose such a thing can't really happen outside sleep.'

Life is a public performance on the violin, in which you must learn the instrument as you go along.

At night, when the curtains are drawn and the fire flickers, my books attain a collective dignity.

The strong are so stupid.

Hope, politeness, the blowing of a nose, the squeak of a boot, all produce "boum.