The force of truth that a statement imparts, then, its prominence among the hordes of recorded observations that I may read more

The force of truth that a statement imparts, then, its prominence among the hordes of recorded observations that I may optionally apply to my own life, depends, in addition to the sense that it is argumentatively defensible, on the sense that someone like me, and someone I like, whose voice is audible and who is at least notionally in the same room with me, does or can possibly hold it to be compellingly true.

Compassion has no place in the natural order of the world which operates on the basis of necessity. Compassion opposes read more

Compassion has no place in the natural order of the world which operates on the basis of necessity. Compassion opposes this order and is therefore best thought of as being in some way supernatural.

Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.'

Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.'

Love means never having to say you're sorry.

Love means never having to say you're sorry.

There is a time for all things -- except marriage my dear.

There is a time for all things -- except marriage my dear.

Pleasure only starts once the worm has got into the fruit, to become delightful happiness must be tainted with poison.

Pleasure only starts once the worm has got into the fruit, to become delightful happiness must be tainted with poison.

Tenderness is a virtue.

Tenderness is a virtue.

In everything, satiety closely follows the greatest pleasures.

In everything, satiety closely follows the greatest pleasures.

Strange that the vanity which accompanies beauty --excusable, perhaps, when there is such great beauty, or at any rate understandable read more

Strange that the vanity which accompanies beauty --excusable, perhaps, when there is such great beauty, or at any rate understandable --should persist after the beauty was gone.