Machines have no political opinions, but they have profound political effects. They demand a strict regimentation of time, and, by abolishing the need for manual skill, have transformed the majority of the population from workers into laborers. There are, that is to say, fewer and fewer jobs which a man can find a pride and satisfaction in doing well, more and more which have no interest in themselves and can be valued only for the money they provide.

The theater has never been any good since the actors became gentlemen.

Narcissus does not fall in love with his reflection because it is beautiful, but because it is his. If it were his beauty that enthralled him, he would be set free in a few years by its fading.

Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.

An unmanly sort of man whose love life seems to have been largely confined to crying in laps and playing mouse.

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

In addition to English, at least one ancient language, probably Greek or Hebrew, and two modern languages would be required.