The average man thinks that a little falseness goes with beauty. - Thomas Mann

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.

It is remarkable how a man cannot summarize his thoughts in even the most general sort of way without betraying himself completely, without putting his whole self into it, quite unawares, presenting as if in allegory the basic themes and problems of his life.

ჩვენ ჩვეულებრივ ამბებს აღვწერთ, მაგრამ ჩვეულებრივი ამბავი არაჩვეულებრივი ხდება, როცა იგი არაჩვეულებრივი მიზეზებითაა გამოწვეული.