Sign of old age: distress at all leave-takings, all separations. And the sadness of memories, because I'm aware they're condemned to death.

If you haven't been happy very young, you can still be happy later on, but it's much harder. You need more luck.

Live with no time-out.

The ideal of happiness has always taken material form in the house, whether cottage or castle; it stands for permanence and separation from the world.

Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable.

For years I thought my work still lay ahead, and now I find it is behind me: there was no moment when it took place.

Youth and what the Italians so prettily call stamina. The vigor, the fire, that enables you to love and create. When you've lost that, you've lost everything.