Properly understood, style is not a seductive decoration added to a functional structure; it is of the essence of a work of art. The necessary elements of style are lucidity, elegance, and individuality; these three qualities combine to form a preservative which ensures the nearest approximation to permanence in the fugitive art of letters.

If we can't stamp out literature in the country, we can at least stop its being brought in from outside.

The trouble with modern education is you never know how ignorant they are.

Once you start changing a name, you see, there's no reason ever to stop. One always hears one that sounds better.

We are American at puberty. We die French.

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

I prefer all but the very worst travel books, to all but the very best novels.