The tragedy of preparedness has scarcely been handled, save by the Greeks. Life is indeed dangerous, but not in the way morality would have us believe. It is indeed unmanageable, but the essence of it is not a battle. It is unmanageable because it is a romance, and its essence is romantic beauty.

Neanderthal man listened to stories, if one may judge by the shape of his skull.

People in a novel can be understood completely by the reader, if the novelist can be understood completely by the reader, if the novelist wishes; their inner as well as their outer life can be exposed.

Works of art, in my opinion, are the only objects in the material universe to possess internal order, and that is why, though I don't believe that only art matters, I do believe in Art for Art's sake.

To make us feel small in the right way is a function of art; men can only make us feel small in the wrong way.

To trust people is a luxury in which only the wealthy can indulge; the poor cannot afford it.

Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice.