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

Open your mind to new experiences, particularly to the study of other ­people. Nothing that happens to a writer – however happy, however tragic – is ever wasted.

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.

There are few couples as unhappy as those who are too proud to admit their unhappiness.

Death ... obliterates family resemblance as it does personality: there is no affinity between the living and the dead.

Daniel supposed he had a secret life. Most people did; it was hardly possible to live without one.

Wars may be fought by decent men, but they're not won by them.