I was impressed for the ten thousandth time by the fact that literature illuminates life only for those to whom books are a necessity. Books are unconvertible assets, to be passed on only to those who possess them already.

— Anthony Powell

Later in life, I learned that many things one may require have to be weighed against one's dignity, which can be an insuperable barrier against advancement in almost any direction. However, in those days, choice between dignity and unsatisfied curiosity was less clear to me as a cruel decision that had to be made.

— Anthony Powell

Literature illuminates life only for those to whom books are a necessity.

— Anthony Powell

One hears about life all the time from different people with very different narrative gifts.

— Anthony Powell

One passes through the world knowing few, if any, of the important things about even the people with whom one has been from time to time in the closest intimacy.

— Anthony Powell

One’s capacity for hearing about ghastly doings lessens with age.

— Anthony Powell

Only an atmosphere of quiet hard work and dull, serious conversation were appropriate to him.

— Anthony Powell

Parents are sometimes a bit of a disappointment to their children. They don't fulfill the promise of their early years.

— Anthony Powell

Reading novels needs almost as much talent as writing them.

— Anthony Powell

Self-love seems so often unrequited.

— Anthony Powell