[...]my memory is reasonably good—unlike yours, dear sir!” “Mine is erratic,” he said imperturbably. “I remember only what interests me.

As soon as one promises not to do something, it becomes the one thing above all others that one most wishes to do.

It was growing late, and though one might stand on the brink of a deep chasm of disaster, one was still obliged to dress for dinner.

No one could have called Mr. Standen quick-witted, but the possession of three sisters had considerably sharpened his instinct of self-preservation.

When fate is got it in for you, there is no limit to what you may have to put up with.

There is nothing so mortifying as to fall in love with someone who does not share one's sentiments.

Talking to you is like -- like talking to an eel!" "No, is it? I've never tried to talk to an eel. Isn't it as waste of time?" "Not such a waste of time as talking to you!

You may have married her, but she is mine. Do you think I shall let you take her? She may be ten times your wife, but, by God, you shall never have her.

She decided that her wisest course would be to put him out of her mind. After reaching this conclusion she lay thinking about him until at last she fell asleep.

You don't feel you could marry me instead? Got no brains, of course, and I ain't a handsome fellow, like Jack, but I love you. Don't think I could ever love anyone else.

Oh, Randall, don't be such a vile beast!" "I don't think much of that",he said critically. "Amiable snake was much better.

And this I know: all these things that now, while we are still in the war, sink down in us like a stone, after the war shall waken again, and then shall begin the disentanglement of life and death.

The Internet has established a public sphere and developed a pressure which the government can no longer ignore.

I probably read Harriet the Spy about 70,000 times.

In choosing Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney made a fantastic choice and a bold statement to the American people.

Compassion is not a passion; rather a noble disposition of the soul, made ready to receive love, mercy, and other charitable passions.

Love your suffering. Do not resist it, do not flee from it. It is only your aversion to it that hurts, nothing else.

The definition of a writing career, is write a book, write another book, write another book

I have to believe that I know what's best for me. For instance, I choose all my songs. I never record anything I don't want to record. No one tells me what concerts to do.

I'm more interested in interpersonal relationships - between lovers families, siblings. That's why I write about how we treat each other.

When we come close to those things that break us down, we touch those things that also break us open. And in that breaking open, we uncover our true nature.