I have always been - I think any student of history almost inevitably is - a cheerful pessimist.

I have always been - I think any student of history almost inevitably is - a cheerful pessimist.

Vanity is a static thing. It puts it faith in what it has, and is easily wounded. Pride is active, and satisfied only with what it can do, hence accustomed not to feel small stings.

Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper not eternal bronze: Let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes.

The book, like the bicycle, is a perfect form.

Music is intended and designed for sentient beings that have hopes and purposes and emotions.

To denounce does not free the self from what it hates, any more than ignoring the past shuts off its influence.