It is probably true to say that the largest scope for change still lies in men's attitude to women, and in women's attitude to themselves.

most of us have to be self-righteous before we can be righteous.

Nevertheless, hateful as saying 'No' always is to an imaginative person, and certain as the offence may be that it will cause to individuals whose own work does not require isolated effort, the writer who is engaged on a book must learn to say it. He must say it consistently to all interrupters; to the numerous callers and correspondents who want him to speak, open bazaars, see them for 'only' ten minutes, attend literary parties, put people up, or read, correct and find publishers for semi-literate manuscripts by his personal friends.

We should never be at the mercy of Providence if only we understood that we ourselves are Providence.

So many people seem to imagine that because the actual tools of writing are easily accessible, it is less difficult than the other arts. This is entirely an illusion.

It never seems to occur to anybody that some women may not want to find husbands.

An author who waits for the right 'mood' will soon find that 'moods' get fewer and fewer until they cease altogether.