We have reached the point where ignorance and neglect are the best we can hope for in a ruler.
The paradox of the English country house is that its state of permanent decline, the fact that its heyday is always behind it, is part of the seduction, just as it is part of the seduction of books in general.
His whole personality was like an elaborate joke that he never stopped telling.
Being a writer can be isolating. It's good to be among readers and booksellers.
The process of learning is a nonstop orgy of wonderment.
I think for a long time, I was paralyzed by some of my hopes and ideals for what my life was going to be like. I had this perfect vision of how my life should go, but it seemed - it was - impossible to realize, so I sat around for a long, long time doing almost nothing at all.