Love of beauty is really only the sex instinct, which nothing but complete union satisfies. - John Galsworthy

Looking back on the long-stretched-out body of one's work, it is interesting to mark the endless duel fought within a man between the emotional and critical sides of his nature, first one, then the other, getting the upper hand, and too seldom fusing till the result has the mellowness of full achievement. One can even tell the nature of one's readers, by their preference for the work which reveals more of this side than of that.

«Qual è la vostra ricetta per conservare la giovinezza, Irene?»
«Quando non si vive ci si conserva meravigliosamente».

Only those strong enough to keep silent about self are strong enough to be sure of self.