Of all the things that make for happiness, the love of books comes first. No matter how the world may have used us, sure solace lies there.

Love is an orchid which thrives principally on hot air.

... the song of the world is all of love.

Impermanence is the very essence of joy-the drop of bitterness that enables one to perceive the sweet.

Womankind suffers from three delusions: marriage will reform a man, a rejected lover is heartbroken for life, and if the other women were only out of the way, he would come back.

It is personal vanity of the most flagrant type which intrudes itself, unasked, into other people's affairs. There are few of us who do not feel capable of ordering the daily lives of others, down to the most minute detail.

[On marriage:] Someone once said that it was like a crowded church - those outside were endeavouring to get in, and those inside were making violent efforts to get out.