when I came to know Greek art I instantly understood that excess and perfection are enemies; yet on the other hand this world and the millions of worlds around us live by fire ... !

no one is more trustworthy than the repentant sinner who has been found out.

The charms of seclusion are seldom combined with the conveniences of civilization.

I can imagine nothing more tiresome than always to speak of people as if they were listening at the door.

crawling about the floor like half-dead November flies is one thing, and dancing reels another.

The habit some writers indulge in of perpetual quotation is one it behooves lovers of good literature to protest against, for it is an insidious habit which in the end must cloud the stream of thought, or at least check spontaneity. If it be true that le style c'est l homme, what is likely to happen if l homme is for ever eking out his own personality with that of some other individual?

I have often noticed that when Fate has a phenomenal run of ill luck in store for you, she begins by dropping a rare piece of good fortune into your lap, thereby enhancing the artistic effect of the sequel.