Jane Austen, much in advance of her day, was a mistress of the use of the dialogue. She used it as dialogue should be used-to advance the story; not only to show the characters, but to advance.

very young people are true but not resounding instruments.

It is not helpful to help a friend by putting coins in his pockets when he has got holes in his pockets.

When I read a story, I relive the moment from which it sprang. A scene burned itself into me, a building magnetized me, a mood orseason of Nature's penetrated me, history suddenly appeared to me in some tiny act, or a face had begun to haunt me before I glanced at it.

Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.

Fantasy is toxic: the private cruelty and the world war both have their start in the heated brain.

Have not all poetic truths been already stated? The essence of a poetic truth is that no statement of it can be final.