I intend to judge things for myself; to judge wrongly, I think, is more honorable than not to judge at all.

— Henry James

I know at least what I am,' he simply went on; 'the other side of the medal's clear enough. I've not been edifying--I believe I'm thought in a hundred quarters to have been barely decent. Furthermore, I've followed strange paths and worshiped strange gods; it must have come to you again and again--in fact you've admitted to me as much--that I was leading, at any time these thirty years, a selfish frivolous scandalous life. And you see what it has made of me.

— Henry James

I might show it to you, but you'd never see it. The privilege isn't given to every one; it's not enviable. It has never been seen by a young, happy, innocent person like you. You must have suffered first, have suffered greatly, have gained some miserable knowledge. In that way your eyes are opened to it.

— Henry James

I'm yours for ever--for ever and ever. Here I stand; I'm as firm as a rock. If you'll only trust me, how little you'll be disappointed. Be mine as I am yours.

— Henry James

I never did anything in life to anyone's imagination.

— Henry James

I never really have believed in the existence of friendship in big societies - in great towns and great crowds. It's a plant that takes time and space and air; and London society is a huge "squash", as we elegantly call it - an elbowing, pushing, perspiring, chattering mob.

— Henry James

I remember the whole beginning as a succession of flights and drops, a little seesaw of the right throbs and wrong.

— Henry James

I should think that to hear such lovely music as that would really make him feel better." The lady gave a discriminating smile. “I am afraid there are moments in life when even Beethoven has nothing to say to us. We must admit, however, that they are our worst moments.

— Henry James

I take up my own pen again - the pen of all my old unforgettable efforts and sacred struggles. To myself - today - I need to say no more. Large and full and high the future still opens. It is now indeed that I may do the work of my life. And I will.

— Henry James

It comes over me that I had then a strange alter ego deep down somewhere inside me, as the full-blown flower is in the small tight bud, and I just took the course, I just transferred him to the climate, that blighted him once and forever.

— Henry James