The form of government that is most suitable to the artist is no government at all. ... One might point out how the Renaissance was great, because it sought to solve no social problem, and busied itself not about such things, but suffered the individual to develop freely, beautifully, and naturally, and so had great and individual artists, and great, individual men. One might point out how Louis XIV, by creating the modern state, destroyed the individualism of the artist.

Oh, I love London Society! It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics. Just what Society should be.

Dullness is the coming of age of seriousness.

When a love comes to an end, weaklings cry, efficient ones instantly find another love, and the wise already have one in reserve.

I like to do all the talking myself. It saves time, and prevents arguments.

There is no doubt that genius lasts longer than beauty.

Life cheats us with shadows. We ask it for pleasure. It gives it to us with bitterness and disappointment in its train.