To men and women who want to do things, there is nothing quite so driving as the force of an imprisoned ego. . . . All genius comes from this class.

The greatest weapon in the world ... is ridicule.

There is no place in the world, I imagine, for a philosopher with a sense of humor, a new leisure, and an inquiring turn of mind!

From class consciousness to class hatred was but a step.

[When working on a book] I have an almost complete detachment from the world I live in, a sort of armor against distraction. I talk to people, move about, appear on the surface much as usual. But later on I have only a confused memory of what has happened during that period.

[To her frequently needed plumber:] How would you like to be adopted? I'm sure it would be cheaper.

Love sees clearly, and seeing, loves on. But infatuation is blind; when it gains sight, it dies.