... To know and love one other human being is the root of all wisdom.

Limbo is the place. In Limbo one has natural happiness without the beatific vision; no harps; no communal order; but wine and conversation and imperfect, various humanity. Limbo for the unbaptized, for the pious heathen, the sincere sceptic.

If politicians and scientists were lazier, how much happier we should all be

The audiences certainly have declined. If I go to the theatre now I find people come there to eat and smoke and talk to one another. And look like scarecrows.

Evelyn Waugh: How do you get your main pleasure in life, Sir William? Sir William Beveridge: I get mine trying to leave the world a better place than I found it. Waugh: I get mine spreading alarm and despondency and I get more satisfaction than you do.

Professional reviewers read so many bad books in the course of duty that they get an unhealthy craving for arresting phrases.

At first it was impressive, but after half and hour deadly monotonous. It was like everything German - overdone.