Occasionally a single anecdote opens a character; biography has its comparative anatomy, and a saying or a sentiment enables the skilful hand to construct the skeleton.

A first book has some of the sweetness of a first love.

The ponderous tomes are bales of the mind's merchandise.

Whatever is beautiful is also profitable.

Taste is often one of the aspects of fashion.

The light of genius never sets, but sheds itself upon other faces, in different hues of splendor. Homer glows in the softened beauty of Virgil, and Spenser revives in the decorated learning of Gray.

To study history is to study literature.

Taste is improved by cultivation.

The drama is the book of the people.

It is supposable that, in the eyes of angels, a struggle down a dark lane and a battle of Leipsic differ in nothing but excess of wickedness.

The exhibition of real strength is never grotesque. Distortion is the agony of weakness. It is the dislocated mind whose movements are spasmodic.

But no, now I see I never meant to Ben what Ben meant to me. If there was anything I said which resonated in return, he found a better speech elsewhere. My romance went no further than his coat.

Marriage can be viewed as the waiting room for death.

There are some with brains and some without. It makes for a better division of labour.

All I could do at school was paint and draw and that was the only time I ever passed any exam. It was the only thing I ever got right at school.

I am happy being based in Leeds, I feel settled.

I like Colin Wilson, mainly because he never went to school. When you don't go to school you can say anything you want like that and not have to worry.

To make a film, the final big collaborator that you have is the composer.

If I was a Pokemon, I'll either be a Psyduck or a Jigglypuff.

If I was still at school, I'd be looking at Britney Spears and dying to be her.

Having been engaged rather a lot of times, Zsa Zsa Gabor was asked whether a lady should give back the ring. Her answer? "Of course dahlink, but first, you take out all the diamonds.