“I loved buildings that had grown silently with the centuries, catching the best of each generation while time curbed the artist's pride and the philistine's vulgarity and repaired the clumsiness of the dull workman.” — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
Properly understood, style is not a seductive decoration added to a functional structure; it is of the essence of a work of art. The necessary elements of style are lucidity, elegance, and individuality; these three qualities combine to form a… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with a stranger at a bar, they can conscientiously describe him as a source that has hitherto proved unimpeachable. It is only when the journalist is reporting a whim of his own, and one to which he… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share
One can write, think and pray exclusively of others; dreams are all egocentric. — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“Sometimes," Helena continued, "I have a terrible dream of the future. Not now, but presently, people may forget their loyalty to their kings and… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“Rex has never been unkind to me intentionally. It's just that he isn't a real person at all; he's just a few faculties of… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
If it could only be like this always – always summer, always alone, the fruit always ripe and Aloysius in a good temper... — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“My dear, I should like to stick you full of barbed arrows like a p-p-pin cushion...Where do you lurk? I shall come down your… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
There is something incomparably thrilling in first opening a brand new book. — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“Beware the Anglo-Catholics. They're all sodomites with unpleasant accents." --Cousin Jasper” — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“The fortnight at Venice passed quickly and sweetly-- perhaps too sweetly; I was drowning in honey, stingless.” — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
“It’s awful to think that I shall probably never, as long as I live, see you dancing like that again all by yourself.” — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
I've always been bad. Probably I shall be bad again, punished again. But the worse I am, the more I need God. I can't shut myself out from His mercy. ... Or it may be a private bargain between me and God, that if I give up this one thing I want so much, however bad I am, He won't… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share
His courtesy was somewhat extravagant. He would write and thank people who wrote to thank him for wedding presents and when he encountered anyone… — Evelyn Waugh Copy Share Image
