All works of art are commissioned in the sense that no artist can create one by a simple act of will but must wait until what he believes to be a good idea for a work comes to him.

There are not many English novels which deserve to be called great: Parade's End is one of them.

The eye likes novelty, but the ear craves familiarity.

Most people enjoy the sight of their own handwriting as they enjoy the smell of their own farts.

I smell blood and an era of prominent madmen.

The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have not yet developed a significant profile of their own.

We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know.