In general, I think, human beings are happiest at table when they are very young, very much in love or very alone.

One ... aspect of the case for World War II is that while it was still a shooting affair it taught us survivors a great deal about daily living which is valuable to us now that it is, ethically at least, a question of cold weapons and hot words.

Life is hard, we say. An oyster's life is worse. She lives motionless, soundless, her own cold ugly shape her only dissipation.

Talleyrand said that two things are essential in life: to give good dinners and to keep on fair terms with women. As the years pass and fires cool, it can become unimportant to stay always on fair terms either with women or one's fellows, but a wide and sensitive appreciation of fine flavours can still abide with us, to warm our hearts.

I cannot count the good people I know who to my mind would be even better if they bent their spirits to the study of their own hungers.

Dictionaries are always fun, but not always reassuring.

In general, I think, human beings are happiest at table when they are very young, very much in love or very alone.