The language of truth is unadorned and always simple.

The language of truth is unadorned and always simple.

In America only the successful writer is important, in France all writers are important, in England no writer is important, read more

In America only the successful writer is important, in France all writers are important, in England no writer is important, and in Australia you have to explain what a writer is.

I speak two languages, Body and English.

I speak two languages, Body and English.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.

Language is a mixture of statement and evocation.

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.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them

The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers.

If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers.