In life there are two things which are dependable. The pleasures of the flesh and the pleasures of literature.
Sei ShonagonA man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as if he knew everything.
Sei ShonagonTo wash one's hair, make one's toilet, and put on scented robes; even if not a soul sees one, these preparations still produce an inner pleasure.
Sei ShonagonIf letters did not exist, what dark depressions would come over one! When one has been worrying about something and wants to tell a certain person about it, what a relief it is to put it all down in a letter! Still greater is one's joy when a reply arrives. At that moment a letter really seems like an elixir of life.
Sei Shonagon