One should not be too severe on English novels; they are the only relaxation of the intellectually unemployed.

Algy, you always adopt a strictly immoral attitude towards life. You are not quite old enough to do that.

Now art should never try to be popular. The public should try to make itself artistic.

Bad manners make a journalist.

It is a sad truth, but we have lost the faculty of giving lovely names to things. Names are everything. I never quarrel with actions. My one quarrel is with words. The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one. It is the only thing he is fit for.

The moment that an artist takes notice of what other people want, and tries to supply the demand, he ceases to be an artist.

My dear Arthur, I never talk scandal. I only talk gossip. What is the difference between scandal and gossip? Oh! Gossip is charming! History is merely gossip. But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.