There are worse things than poverty, though I can't for the moment remember what they are.

If one can't be happy, one must be amused.

When the loo paper gets thicker and the writing paper thinner, it's always a bad sign, at home.

In France that is the one rule, never make trouble.

I do love translating; it is the pure pleasure of writing without the misery of inventing.

The worst of being a Communist is the parties you may go to are - well - awfully funny and touching but not very gay...I don't see the point of sad parties, do you? And Left-wing people are always sad because they mind dreadfully about their causes, and the causes are always going so badly.

If I had a girl I should say to her, 'Marry for love if you can, it won't last, but it is a very interesting experience and makes a good beginning in life. Later on, when you marry for money, for heaven's sake let it be big money. There are no other possible reasons for marrying at all.