I was learning the importance of names -- having them, making them -- but at the same time I sensed read more

I was learning the importance of names -- having them, making them -- but at the same time I sensed the dangers. Recognition was followed by oblivion, a yawning maw whose victims disappeared without a trace.

A good name is better than precious ointment.

A good name is better than precious ointment.

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability read more

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.

One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die

One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die

Better to see the face than to hear the name.

Better to see the face than to hear the name.

Ah! replied my gentle fair,
Beloved, what are names but air?
Choose thou, whatever suits the line:
read more

Ah! replied my gentle fair,
Beloved, what are names but air?
Choose thou, whatever suits the line:
Call me Sappho, call me Chloris,
Call me Lalage, or Doris,
Only, only, call me thine.

I can call nothing by name if that is not his name. I call a cat
a cat, and read more

I can call nothing by name if that is not his name. I call a cat
a cat, and Rollet a rogue.
[Fr., Je ne puis rien nommer si ce n'est par son nom;
J'appelle un chat un chat, et Rollet un fripon.]

To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name.

To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name.

The dodgerest of all the dodgers.

The dodgerest of all the dodgers.