The trouble about man is twofold. He cannot learn truths which are too complicated; he forgets truths which are too simple.

it is necessary that we should all have a little of the will to die, because otherwise we would find the performance of our biological duty of death too difficult.

I cannot think that espionage can be recommended as a technique for building an impressive civilization. It's a lout's game.

Nobody likes having salt rubbed into their wounds, even if it is the salt of the earth.

All good biography, as all good fiction, comes down to the study of original sin, of our inherent disposition to choose death when we ought to choose life.

The childhood of the individual and the race is full of fears, and panic-stricken attempts to avert what is feared by placating the gods with painful sacrifices.

To every man in the world there is one person of whom he knows little: whom he would never recognize if he met him walking down the street, whose motives are a mystery to him. That is himself.