read widely, not in order to copy someone else's style, but to learn to appreciate and recognize good writing and to see how the best writers have achieved their result. Poor writing is, unfortunately, infectious and should be avoided.

we can forgive anything as long as it isn't done to us.

Human kindness is like a defective tap, the first gush may be impressive but the stream soon dries up.

Charm is always genuine; it may be superficial but it isn't false.

however long we have to live, there are never enough springs.

People were excited by violence. What, after all, was the sexual act but a voluntarily endured assault, a momentary death?

Books of quotations ... afford me one of the most undemanding but satisfying forms of reading pleasure.