My importance to the world is relatively small. On the other hand, my importance to myself is tremendous. I am all I have to work with, to play with, to suffer and to enjoy. It is not the eyes of others that I am wary of, but of my own. I do not intend to let myself down more than I can possibly help, and I find that the fewer illusions I have about myself or the world around me, the better company I am for myself.

Familiarity breeds contempt, but without a little familiarity it's impossible to breed anything.

You always ought to have tom cats arranged, you know - it makes 'em more companionable.

Thousands of people have talent. I might as well congratulate you for having eyes in your head. The one and only thing that counts is: Do you have staying power?

It's like this, dear boy, the one in front is blind and the kind one behind is pushing him.

Many years ago I remember a famous actress explaining to me with perfect seriousness that before making an entrance she always stood aside to allow God to go on first. I can also remember that on that particular occasion He gave a singularly uninspired performance.

Passion in a dromedary doesn't go so deep; a camel when it's mating never sobs itself to sleep.