Alternatives, and particularly desirable alternatives, grow only on imaginary trees.

A novel is balanced between a few true impressions and the multitude of false ones that make up most of what we call life.

The worst of all deceptions is self-deception.

The part can never be well unless the whole is well.

Any artist should be grateful for a naive grace which puts him beyond the need to reason elaborately.

There was a disturbance in my heart, a voice that spoke there and said, I want, I want, I want! It happened every afternoon, and when I tried to suppress it got even stronger.

There is only one way to defeat the enemy, and that is to write as well as one can. The best argument is an undeniably good book.

In expressing love we belong among the undeveloped countries.

She was what we used to call a suicide blond — dyed by her own hand.

We mustn't forget how quickly the visions of genius become the canned goods of intellectuals.