Classical and romantic: private language of a family quarrel, a dead dispute over the distribution of emphasis between man and nature. – Cyril Connolly
Those of us who were brought up as Christians and have lost our faith have retained the sense of sin without the saving belief in redemption. This poisons our thought and so paralyses us in action. – Cyril Connolly
As repressed sadists are supposed to become policemen or butchers so those with an irrational fear of life become publishers. – Cyril Connolly
There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another. This should be made clear to all who contemplate such a union. The avoidance of this pain is the beginning of wisdom, for it is strong enough to contaminate the rest of our lives. – Cyril Connolly