No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.

Trying to write something of permanent value is a full-time job.

You wouldn't believe it. It's like a wonderful nightmare.'Sure,' I said. 'I'd believe anything. Including nightmares.' 'What's the matter? Feel low?'Low as hell.

If my Valentine you won't be,I'll hang myself on your Christmas tree.

Don't you believe I love you? Don't know how I can make you believe. I didn't want to kiss you goodbye--that was the trouble--I wanted to kiss you goodnight. […] Of course I love you. I love you all the time. […] I'd like to hold you and kiss you so that you wouldn't doubt whether I wanted to or not.

People who write fiction, if they had not taken it up, might have become very successful liars.