I want to live quietly.

One must always say things that aim to interest, because in the world one must after all pay for one's keep.

Some people say that beauty is a curse. It may be true, but I'm sure I should not have at all minded being cursed a little.

Well, if I am not vulgar, neither is my book. I wrote myself. Suggestiveness is always vulgar. But truth never. My book is not even remotely suggestive. I call things by their names. That is all.

People say of me, 'She's peculiar.' They do not understand me. If they did they would say so oftener and with emphasis.

I began to be a woman at twelve, or more properly, a genius.

I am a genius. Then it amused me to keep saying so, but now it does not. I expected to be happy sometime. Now I know I shall never be.