“In nature a repulsive caterpillar turns into a lovely butterfly. But with human beings it is the other way round: a lovely butterfly turns into a repulsive caterpillar.”

The secret of boring people lies in telling them everything.

What a delight it is to respect people!

If you ever have need of my life, come and take it.

It’s very hard, feeling that you’re no more than a piece of unwanted furniture in this world.

This life of ours, human life is like a flower gloriously blooming in a meadow: along comes a goat, eats it up–no more flower.

Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.

Do you see that tree? It is dead but it still sways in the wind with the others. I think it would be like that with me. That if I died I would still be part of life in one way or another.

Write only of what is important and eternal.

If I had listened to the critics I’d have died drunk in the gutter

Only one who loves can remember so well.

There should be more sincerity and heart in human relations, more silence and simplicity in our interactions. Be rude when you’re angry, laugh when something is funny, and answer when you’re asked.

I expect I shall be a student to the end of my days.

Perhaps the feelings that we experience when we are in love represent a normal state. Being in love shows a person who he should be.

Be sure not to discuss your hero’s state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.

I don’t understand anything about the ballet; all I know is that during the intervals the ballerinas stink like horses.

There is nothing more awful, insulting, and depressing than banality.