"There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr. Gray. All influence is immoral — immoral from the scientific point of view." "Why?" "Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul."

Just as the orator marks his good things by a dramatic pause, or by raising and lowering his voice, or by gesture, so the writer marks his epigrams with italics, setting the little gem, so to speak, like a jeweler.

I have a business appointment that I am anxious... to miss.

You and I will always be friends." "Yet you poisoned me with a book once. I should not forgive that.

My friend is not allowed to go out today. I sit by his side and read him passages from his own life. They fill him with surprise. Everyone should keep someone else's diary; I sometimes suspect you of keeping mine.

The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.

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