Henry James

Experience is never limited, and it is never complete; it is an immense sensibility, a kind of huge spider-web of the finest silken threads suspended in the chamber of consciousness, and catching every air-borne particle in its tissue.

One might enumerate the items of high civilization, as it exists in other countries, which are absent from the texture of American life, until it should become a wonder to know what was left.

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

If I were to live my life over again, I would be an American. I would steep myself in America, I would know no other land.

Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven't had that what have you had?

It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance... and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.

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.

Cats and monkeys; monkeys and cats; all human life is there.

Life is a predicament which precedes death.

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

It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition.