If I practised sex, out of moral conviction, that was one thing; but to enjoy it... seemed a defeat.

By its existence, the Peace Movement denies that governments know best; it stands for a different order of priorities: the human race comes first.

stop spying on the lawful citizenry. Democracy and dossiers go ill together. It is all right for God but all wrong for the State to keep its eye on sparrows.

If I were a first rate writer, I wouldn't mind a bit. What does depress me is this: it is so desperately hard and so obsessive and so lonely to write that, in return for all this work, one would like a little self satisfaction. And that is never going to come, for the simple reason that I do not deserve it. I cannot be a good enough writer. You see? I call it grim. But the future looks awfully clear to me.

In November you begin to know how long the winter will be.

Between his eyes, there were four lines, the marks of such misery as children should never feel. He spoke with that wonderful whisky voice that so many Spanish children have, and he was a tough and entire little boy.

Once you get a tyranny, you don't easily get rid of it. Much better to remember about eternal vigilance.