As a child I knew almost nothing, nothing beyond what I had picked up in my grandmother's house. All children, I suppose, come into the world like that, not knowing who they are.

But everything of value about me is in my books.

After all, we make ourselves according to the ideas we have of our possibilities.

My publisher, who was so good as a taster and editor, when she became a writer, lo and behold, it was all this feminine tosh.

This is unusual for me. I have given readings and not lectures. I have told people who ask for lectures that I have no lecture to give. And that is true.

If you write a novel alone you sit and you weave a little narrative. And it's O.K., but it's of no account.

If ever you wish to meet intellectual frauds in quantity, go to Paris.