The test of literature is, I suppose, whether we ourselves live more intensely for the reading of it.

The torment of human frustration, whatever its immediate cause, is the knowledge that the self is in prison, its vital force and "mangled mind" leaking away in lonely, wasteful self-conflict.

[On newspapers:] A first draft of history.

Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversations.

The Republicans’ plan is that if they can’t buy the 2012 election they will steal it.

The inspired scribbler always has the gift for gossip in our common usage he or she can always inspire the commonplace with an uncommon flavor, and transform trivialities by some original grace or sympathy or humor or affection.

The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion.