I wanted real adventures to happen to myself. But real adventures, I reflected, do not happen to people who remain at home: they must be sought abroad.

I am not likely to die of bashfulness but neither am I prepared to be crucified to attest the perfection of my art. I dislike to hear of any stray heroics on the prowl for me.

The studious silence of the library ... Thought is the thought of thought. Tranquil brightness.

Life is too short to read a bad book.

Fall if you will, but rise you must.

I desire to press in my arms the loveliness which has not yet come into the world.

I don't want to die. Damn death. Long live life.