Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he read more

Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he can give it himself, or because they are beautiful or witty, or because he expects them to touch a cord of association in his reader, or because he wishes to show that he is learned and well read. Quotations due to the last motive are invariably ill-advised; the discerning reader detects it and is contemptuous; the undiscerning is perhaps impressed, but even then is at the same time repelled, pretentious quotations being the surest road to tedium.

Writers are the main landmarks of the past.

Writers are the main landmarks of the past.

Wear the old coat and buy the new book.

Wear the old coat and buy the new book.

There's one good kind of writer -- a dead one.

There's one good kind of writer -- a dead one.

Unlike other people, our reviewers are powerful because they believe in nothing.

Unlike other people, our reviewers are powerful because they believe in nothing.

The free-lance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.

The free-lance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

The biggest critics of my books are people who never read them.

The biggest critics of my books are people who never read them.

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends.

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends.