Always, the path unwinds through lemony sun pools and pitch vine tunnels. - Truman Capote

All writing, all art, is an act of faith. If one tries to contribute to human understanding, how can that be called decadent? It's like saying a declaration of love is an act of decadence. Any work of art, provide it springs from a sincere motivation to further understanding between people, is an act of faith and therefore is an act of love.

And since gin to artifice bears the same relation as tears to mascara, her attractions at once dissembled.

He loved her, he loved her, and until he'd loved her she had never minded being alone....