My parents wanted me to solace them for sorrows they denied having had.
Outside books, we avoid colorful characters.
Romantics consider common sense vulgar.
The aim of literary ambition is to demonstrate one’s greatness of soul.
The beginning of self-knowledge: recognizing that your motives are the same as other people’s.
The man in the street is always a stranger.
Well-behaved: he always speaks as if his mother might be listening.
A blunt statement can be as false as any other.
A real idea keeps changing and appears in many places.
Affection reproaches, but does not denounce.
An omnipotent God is the only being with no reason to lie.
Critic’s delight: scolding the Mighty Dead.
Death is frightening, and so is Eternal Life.
Documents create a paper reality we call proof.
Events are called inevitable only after they have occurred.
Every literary critic believes he will outwit history and have the last word.
General statements omit what we really want to know. Example: some horses run faster than others.
I did not know I was in my prime until afterwards.
I have learned to keep to myself how exceptional I am.
I read less and less. I have not forgiven books for their failure to tell me the truth and make me happy.