The more knowledge, the clearer what the doubts are.
Realism absorbs the ideal by adding a few small imperfections. Example: it paints a few specks of mud on the white gown of the Lady in the Garden.
As desire recedes, the world becomes clear, pale, and empty.
A moment of eloquence enthralls us. An hour's worth leaves us stupefied.
History goes out of control almost as often as nature does.
Writers mean more than they say and say more than they mean.