Nostalgia is a seductive liar.

Nostalgia is a seductive liar.

I saw Chungking for the first time more than 40 years ago - a city of hills and mists, of read more

I saw Chungking for the first time more than 40 years ago - a city of hills and mists, of grays and lavenders, two rivers shaping it to a point and the cliff rising above me like a challenge.

The greatest inventions were produced in the times of ignorance, as the use of the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

The greatest inventions were produced in the times of ignorance, as the use of the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

Anecdotes are the gleaming toys of history. The history of mankind is little else than a narrative of designs which read more

Anecdotes are the gleaming toys of history. The history of mankind is little else than a narrative of designs which have failed and hopes that have been disappointed.

The lessons of history? There are four: The bee fertilizes the flower it robs; whom the gods would destroy they read more

The lessons of history? There are four: The bee fertilizes the flower it robs; whom the gods would destroy they first make mad with power; the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small; when it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.

Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it.

Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it.

History is the ship carrying living memories to the future.

History is the ship carrying living memories to the future.

You lived too long, we have supped full with heroes, they waste their deaths on us.

You lived too long, we have supped full with heroes, they waste their deaths on us.