Most marriages recognize this paradox: Passion destroys passion; we want what puts an end to wanting what we want.

Between skin and skin, there is only light.

There are some men who are consoled by the idea that there are women less attractive than their wives; and others who are haunted by the knowledge that there are more attractive.

They looked down on her; and she looked up through them.

I just think of things as beautiful or not. Can't you understand? I don't think of good or bad. Just of beautiful or ugly. I think a lot of nice things are ugly and a lot of nasty things are beautiful.

Edith Sitwell's interest in art was largely confined to portraits of herself.

Alive. Alive in the way that death is alive.