The great thing in life is not to be able to do things, because then they are always done for you.

If one cannot invent a really convincing lie, it is often better to stick to the truth.

Never economize on luxuries.

There are few pleasures like really burrowing one's nose into sweet peas.

First love is an astounding experience and if the object happens to be totally unworthy and love not really love at all, it makes little difference to the intensity of the pain.

If only life were one long crisis, everyone would be perfect.

Christmas, so long looming over everyone's head, finally surged up, buried everyone alive and ebbed away, leaving its victims distinctly cross.

Early poems are a thing it takes years to live down.

it is rather depressing to think that one will still be oneself when one is dead, but I dare say one won't be so critical then.

But human nature cannot be content on a diet of honey and if there is nothing in one's life that requires pity, one must invent it; for to go through life unpitied would be an unthinkable loss.

If one cannot invent a really convincing lie it is often better to stick to the truth.

2. Overcommitment and time pressure are the greatest destroyers of marriages. It takes time to develop any friendship...whether with a loved one or with God Himself.

You will have the last word.' 'Your name will be that word.

We are so sluggish in our mentality that we think the world's problems are not our business, that they have to be resolved by the United Nations or by substituting new leaders for the old.

Our destinations are Booleans – we reach them or we don’t – but our journeys are spectrums, because there are so many paths we can take to our destination that make getting there that much better.

The most important emotion in classrooms is surprise.

I worked with some wonderful people, tried my best and I feel comfortable.

And it totally has transformed my relationship with someone like, say, Bach. You know, Bach is born 330 years ago but, you know, gosh, he really is alive.

we're responsible for our own lives.

I am death, not taxes. I turn up only once.

You don't write a book to show off.