...every literature, in its main lines, reflects the chief characteristics of the people for whom, and about whom, it is written.

... how I understand that love of living, of being in this wonderful, astounding world even if one can look at it only through theprison bars of illness and suffering! Plus je vois, the more I am thrilled by the spectacle.

Inkstands and tea-cups are never as full as when one upsets them.

What's the use of making mysteries? It only makes people want to nose 'em out.

There are lots of ways of being miserable, but there's only one way of being comfortable, and that is to stop running round after happiness. If you make up your mind not to be happy there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time.

Yes, you have been away a very long time.' 'Oh, centuries and centuries; so long,' she said, 'that I'm sure I'm dead and buried and this dear old place is heaven.

Little as she was addicted to solitude, there had come to be moments when it seemed a welcome escape from the empty noises of her life.