If the years of youth are experienced slowly, while the later years of life hurtle past at an ever-increasing speed, it must be habit that causes it. We know full well that the insertion of new habits or the changing of old ones is the only way to preserve life, to renew our sense of time, to rejuvenate, intensify, and retard our experience of time - and thereby renew our sense of life itself. That is the reason for every change of scenery and air.

The accouterments of life were so rich and varied, so elaborated, that almost no place at all was left for life itself. Each and every accessory was so costly and beautiful that it had an existence above and beyond the purpose it was meant to serve – confusing the observer and absorbing attention.

Technology and comfort - having those, people speak of culture, but do not have it.

He thought what a fine thing it was that people made music all over the world, even in the strangest settings – probably even on polar expeditions.

Yes, they are carnal, both of them, love and death, and therein lies their terror and their great magic!

A man’s dying is more the survivors’ affair than his own.

A great truth is a truth whose opposite is also a truth.