If you talked or laughed in church, told lies, had impure thoughts or conversations, you were bad; if you obeyed your parents or guardians, went to confession and communion regularly, said prayers for the dead, you were good.

What's the use of falling in love if you both remain inertly as you were?

Modern neurosis began with the discoveries of Copernicus. Science made men feel small by showing him that the earth was not the center of the universe.

...the tourist Venice is Venice.

Understanding is often a prelude to forgiveness, but they are not the same, and we often forgive what we cannot understand (seeing nothing else to do) and understand what we cannot pardon.

The relation between life and literature - a final antimony - is one of mutual plagiarism.

Labor is work that leaves no trace behind it when it is finished.