We all write poems; it is simply that poets are the ones who write in words.

Our knowledge of what the richer than ourselves possess, and the poor do not, has never been more widespread. Therefore, envy, which is wanting what others have, and jealousy, which is not wanting others to have what one has, have never been more widespread.

There cannot be any true leisure until all the world possesses it equally.

It is not only species of animal that die out, but whole species of feeling. And if you are wise you will never pity the past for what it did not know, but pity yourself for what it did.

Duty largely consists of pretending that the trivial is critical.

I knew words were like chains, they held me back . . . the act of description taints the description.

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