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

Quote by Henry James

Topics: Henry James Quotes

People talk about the conscience, but it seems to me one must just bring it...

People talk about the conscience, but it seems to me one must just bring it...

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

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

Young men of this class never do anything for themselves that they can get other...

Young men of this class never do anything for themselves that they can get other...

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful...

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful...

We work n the dark - we do what we can - we give what...

We work n the dark - we do what we can - we give what...

Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what...

Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what...

The only success worth one's powder was success in the line of one's idiosyncrasy... what...

The only success worth one's powder was success in the line of one's idiosyncrasy... what...

The face of nature and civilization in this our country is to a certain point...

The face of nature and civilization in this our country is to a certain point...

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will...

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will...

If I were to live my life over again, I would be an American. I...

If I were to live my life over again, I would be an American. I...

It's a complex fate, being an American, and one of the responsibilities it entails is...

It's a complex fate, being an American, and one of the responsibilities it entails is...

We work in the dark, We do what we can, We give what we have,...

We work in the dark, We do what we can, We give what we have,...

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated...

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated...

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony...

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony...

Ideas are, in truth, force.

Ideas are, in truth, force.

I think I don't regret a single 'excess' of my responsive youth-I only regret, in...

I think I don't regret a single 'excess' of my responsive youth-I only regret, in...

However British you may be, I am more British still.

However British you may be, I am more British still.

Deep experience is never peaceful.

Deep experience is never peaceful.

To kill a human being is, after all, the least injury you can do him.

To kill a human being is, after all, the least injury you can do him.

What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of...

What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of...