I hated the idleness, the stupidity, the respectability, the petty unselfishness.

He was obliged however to throw over Christianity. Those who base their conduct upon what they are rather than upon what they ought to be, always must throw it over in the end . . . .

Love is a great force in private life; it is indeed the greatest of all things; but love in public affairs does not work.

I'm a holy man minus the holiness. Hand that on to your three spies, and tell them to put it in their pipes.

'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.'

For it is a serious thing to have been watched. We all radiate something curiously intimate when we believe ourselves to be alone.

I don't know what to think until I see what I've said.