It is simply expression, as Henry says, that gives reality to things.

I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.

The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.

Oh, brothers! I don't care for brothers. My elder brother won't die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else.

If a man treats life artistically, his brain is his heart.

What fire does not destroy, it hardens

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

Reason is in fact the path to faith, and faith takes over when reason can say no more.

He never chooses an opinion, he just wears whatever happens to be in style.

To become great, you have to be born great. If you are born again then you are the seed of Abraham. That means you have greatness in you!

What's society going to be like when the kids today are phenomenally good at text messaging and spend a huge amount of on-screen time, but have never gone bowling together?

You don't really think about [career] much, because in a way it seems like another time and a different person.

Part of the glamour of being a poet was always this long reach into the future. You knew you were managing time.

You've never been in love," she said. "You don't understand." "If being in love means giving up your freedom, not to mention your opportunities," Caitlin said, "Then I haven't missed anything.

If it's going to be wrecked, I want to make sure I wreck it.

Isn't there any other part of the matzo you can eat?

Our ambitions are bold and so must be our desire to change and evolve our culture.