“It is not only a matter of not caring who knows - it is also a matter of knowing who cares.”

“People think that they think things, and they also think that they know things. They could usefully give some attention to the question of whether they know what they think and know what they think they know.”

“A real secret is something which only one person knows.”

“One can give or withhold in a manner far more effective, sophisticated, useful, which is quite invisible to people who think that giving or withholding is done by external assessment. If you seek some mark of favour or 'promotion', know that you are not ready for it. Progress comes through capacity to learn, and is irresistible. Nobody can stand between you and knowledge if you are fit for it.”

“Denial and affirmation are games which people play.There are people who deny that they are capable of denying, and who would insist that people do not insist.”

“Who is the wrong person to criticise?You”

“A certain person may have, as you say, a wonderful presence; I do not know. What I do know is that he has a perfectly delightful absence.”