Who is ever adequate? We all create situations each other can't live up to, then break our hearts at them because they don't.

one should discuss one's difficulties only when they are over.

Nothing, that is say no one, can be such an inexorable tour-conductor as one's own conscience or sense of duty, if one allows either the upper hand: the self-bullying that goes on in the name of sight-seeing is grievous.

Exhibitionism and a nervous wish for concealment, for anonymity, thus battle inside the buyer of any piece of clothing.

Curiosity in Rome is a form of courtesy.

rudeness to Mrs. Dosely was like dropping a pat of butter on to a hot plate - it slid and melted away.

In 'real life' everything is diluted; in the novel everything is condensed.