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

The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to represent life.

The advantage, the luxury, as well as the torment and responsibility of the novelist, is that there is no limit to what he may attempt as an executant - no lim…

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.

You know, I go to the theatre to be entertained... I don't want to see plays about rape, sodomy and drug addiction... I can get all that at home.

There are certain common privileges of a writer, the benefit whereof, I hope, there will be no reason to doubt; particularly, that where I am not understood, i…

A good novelist, or so I have been taught in China, should be above all else tse ran, that is, natural, unaffected, and so flexible and variable as to be wholl…