One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.

There are moments when the inner life actually 'pays,' when years of self-scrutiny, conducted for no ulterior motive, are suddenly of practical use.

'Oh, poor, poor fellow!' said Mrs. Elliot with a remorse that was sincere, though her congratulations would not have been.

Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate.

I have said that each aspect of the novel demands a different quality of the reader. Well, the prophetic aspect demands two qualities: humility and the suspension of the sense of humour.

The work of art assumes the existence of the perfect spectator, and is indifferent to the fact that no such person exists.

He had shown her all the workings of his soul, mistaking this for love.