There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.The nineteenth century dislike of realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass.The nineteenth century dislike of romanticism is the rage of Caliban not seeing his own face in a glass. The moral life of man forms part of the subject-matter of the artist, but the morality of art consists in the perfect use of an imperfect medium

To give an accurate description of what has never occurred is not merely the proper occupation of the historian, but the inalienable privilege of any man of parts and culture.

The difference between literature and journalism is that journalism is unreadable and literature is not read.

I hate vulgar realism in literature. The man who would call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one.

Literature always anticipates life. It doesn't copy it but moulds it to it's purpose.

Oh! don't use big words. They mean so little.

In literature we require distinction, charm, beauty and imaginative power. We don’t want to be harrowed and disgusted with an account of the doings of the lower orders.

I wrote when I did not know life;now that I know life, I have no more to say.

People are so annoying. All my pianists look exactly like poets; and all my poets look exactly like pianists.