Tag: Henry James

The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does compete with life.

Henry James

It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.

Henry James

Don’t undervalue irony; it is often of great use.

Henry James

Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.

Henry James

Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.

Henry James

In art economy is always beauty.

Henry James

We stand like a race with shrunken muscles, staring helplessly at the weights our forefathers easily lifted.

Henry James

The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel without incurring the accusation of being arbitrary, is that it be interesting.

Henry James

Cats and monkeys — monkeys and cats — all human life is there!

Henry James

To take what there is, and use it, without waiting forever in vain for the preconceived — to dig deep into the actual and get something out of that — this doubtless is the right way to live.

Henry James