Clearly much that seemed valid seemed so only because he had been taught it from earliest youth.

One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one's soul.

Usage is the only test. I prefer a phrase that is easy and unaffected to a phrase that is grammatical.

When you're eighteen your emotions are violent, but they're not durable.

An author spends months writing a book, and maybe puts his heart's blood into it, and then it lies about unread till the reader has nothing else in the world to do.

You will find as you grow older that the first thing needful to make the world a tolerable place to live in is to recognize the inevitable selfishness of humanity. You demand unselfishness from others, which is a preposterous claim that they should sacrifice their desires to yours. Why should they? When you are reconciled to the fact that each is for himself in the world you will ask less from your fellows. They will not disappoint you, and you will look upon them more charitably. Men seek but one thing in life -- their pleasure.

The drama is make-believe. It does not deal with truth but with effect.