In the matter of furnishing, I find a certain absence of ugliness far worse than ugliness.
—Colette, 1944
Archive
Quotes
To gaze upon a drop of water is to behold the nature of all the waters of the universe.
—Huangbo Xiyun, c. 850Better free in a strange land than a slave at home.
—German proverbMake human nature your study wherever you reside—whatever the religion or the complexion, study their hearts.
—Ignatius Sancho, 1778Many a man who thinks to found a home discovers that he has merely opened a tavern for his friends.
—Norman Douglas, 1917The only equals are those who are equally rich.
—Burundian proverbDo not lessen the time of following desire, for the wasting of time is an abomination to the spirit.
—Ptahhotep, c. 2350 BCAll revolutions devour their own children.
—Ernst Röhm, 1933Whenever in history equality appeared on the agenda, it was exported somewhere else, like an undesirable.
—Mary McCarthy, 1971If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
—Mark Twain, 1894The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
—Wendell Berry, 1983That sweet bondage which is freedom’s self.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1813When I do a show, the whole show revolves around me, and if I don’t show up, they can just forget it.
—Ethel Merman, c. 1955