“If sophistication is a matter of being in control of our primary reactions, we may now be sophisticated. At least we shall be fairly confident of ourselves and may, with any luck, be confident of others. Our object will be to enjoy our selves. But to make sure that our names are permanently on the cast list, it will be advisable to be of interest to others. This aim must never be confused with the desire to be popular.” IfsMaySelfMatterDesireNamesEnjoyInterestObjectsAimLuckCastsListsReactionsPrimariesConfusedSophisticatedSophisticationBe ConfidentAdvisable Author:Quentin Crisp
“Ambition becomes displeasing when it is once satiated; there is a reaction; and as our spirit, till our last sigh, is always aiming toward some object, it falls back on itself, having nothing else on which to rest; and having reached the summit, it longs to descend.” LastsSpiritFallObjectsAmbitionReactionsSighSummitFall Back Author:Pierre Corneille
“Speaking of opinions, the charming woman does not air hers very freely. The crude woman is eager to let you know what she thinks of every matter, person or object that bobs up. She comments on every passing item - even in public, as you may have noticed. Not only is it bad taste for her to be so desperately interested in her own reactions and opinions - but she throws away the precious aura of reserve and mystery that makes a woman attractive.” ThinkingKnowsMayPersonsDoeMatterOpinionAirMysteryObjectsTasteReactionsPassingPassingsAttractiveCommentBobReservesCharmingItemsCrudeAurasBad TasteCharming Woman Author:Margery Wilson
“The images which the [press] photographer has filtered from reality, whether particular events or the anguish of human reactions to them, already bear a stamp of authenticity which the photographer is powerless to alter by one jot or tittle; the meaning of the objects, by a process of purification, itself becomes the theme of the work.” HumansRealityProcessEventsObjectsParticularBearsPressesPhotographerReactionsAuthenticityThemeAnguishPowerlessStampsPurification Author:Yukio Mishima
“Beauty is a physiological reaction. Beauty is not an object.” ObjectsReactionsPhysiological Author:Peter Schjeldahl