The truth is that the phenomena of artistic production are still so obscure, so baffling, we are still so far from an accurate scientific and psychological knowledge of their genesis or meaning, that we are forced to accept them as empirical facts; and empirical and non-explanatory names are the names that suit them best.

There are few sorrows in which a good income is of no avail.

For souls in growth, great quarrels are great emancipations.

Eat with the rich, but go to the play with the poor, who are capable of joy.

The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection -even though nothing more than the pounding of an old piano -is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star.

The world is not unkind, and reprobates are worse than their reputations.

All reformers, however strict their social conscience, live in houses just as big as they can pay for.