There were several ways of understanding her: there was what she said, and there was what she meant, and there was something between the two, that was neither.
HENRY JAMESThere were several ways of understanding her: there was what she said, and there was what she meant, and there was something between the two, that was neither.
HENRY JAMESTo take what there is in life and use it, without waiting forever in vain for the preconceived, to dig deep into the actual and get something out of that; this, doubtless, is the right way to live.
HENRY JAMES…he had long decided that abundant laughter should be the embellishment of the remainder of his days.
HENRY JAMESThe artist is present in every page of every book from which he sought so assiduously to eliminate himself.
HENRY JAMESIf one is strong, one loves the more strongly.
HENRY JAMESCriticism talks a good deal of nonsense, but even its nonsense is a useful force. It keeps the question of art before the world, insists upon its importance.
HENRY JAMESInnocent and infinite are the pleasures of observation.
HENRY JAMESWe must know, as much as possible, in our beautiful art…what we are talking about and the only way to know is to have lived and loved and cursed and floundered and enjoyed and suffered.
HENRY JAMESA tradition is kept alive only by something being added to it.
HENRY JAMESYoung men of this class never do anything for themselves that they can get other people to do for them, and it is the infatuation, the devotion, the superstition of others that keeps them going. These others in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred are women.
HENRY JAMESDeep experience is never peaceful.
HENRY JAMESI’m yours for ever–for ever and ever. Here I stand; I’m as firm as a rock. If you’ll only trust me, how little you’ll be disappointed. Be mine as I am yours.
HENRY JAMESThe visible world is but man turned inside out that he may be revealed to himself.
HENRY JAMESShe feels in italics and thinks in CAPITALS.
HENRY JAMESIf I could pronounce the name James in any different or more elaborate way I should be in favor of doing it.
HENRY JAMESHe is the same old sausage, fizzing and sputtering in his own grease.
HENRY JAMES