We Don't Simply Read Books. We Become

The Tension Between 'yes' And No', Between 'i Can' And 'i Cannot,' Makes Us Feel That, In So Many Instances, Human Life Is An Interminable Debate With One's Self.

Travel Is Like Adultery: One Is Always Tempted To Be Unfaithful To One's Own Country. To Have Imagination Is Inevitably To Be Dissatisfied With Where You Live. There Is In Men, As Peter Quennell Said, "a Centrifugal Tendency." In Our Wanderlust, We Are Lovers Looking For Consummation.

To Choose A Writer For A Friend Is Like Palling Around With Your Cardiologist, Who Might Be Musing As You Talk To Him That You Are A Sinking Man. A Writer's Love For Another Writer Is Never Quite Free Of Malice. He May Enjoy Discussing Your Failures Even More Than You Do. He Probably Sees You As Tragic, Like His Characters - Or Unworthy Of Tragedy, Which Is Worse.

When Friends Stop Being Frank And Useful To Each Other, The Whole World Loses Some Of Its Radiance.

People ... Have No Idea What A Hard Job It Is For Two Writers To Be Friends. Sooner Or Later You Have To Talk About Each Other's Work.