it is better in the long run to be cheated than to cheat. I have learned that there is no middle way.

That a Jew is despised or persecuted is bad for him, of course-but far worse for the Christian who does it-for although persecuted he can remain a good Jew-whereas no Christian who persecutes can possibly remain-if he ever was one-a good Christian.

... a woman who has been a nun is never anything else.

If a writer is true to his characters they will give him his plot. Observations must play second fiddle to integrity.

What are so mysterious as the eyes of a child?

A desire that has never been fulfilled is considerably less acute than one that has been fulfilled and then checked at the source.

Truth is no man's slave - but lies - what magnificent servants they make.