A. S. Byatt Quotes

You never really meet a human being until you live with them or know them for awhile, so this is my clown and they understand that and so these interviews don't bother them.

I talk to my parents more than anybody in my family.

No one person can possibly combine all the elements supposed to make up what everyone means by friendship.

It's very hard to get the dynamics where two people can stimulate each other and be happy.

My mom and I are very close.

The only thing I have never known is true intimacy with a man. I absolutely wanted to discover that before dying.

How do you create chemistry? If only I knew that! Some people say it's a natural thing that you have with someone, and maybe it is to do with that, but I think you can work on it.

If you want to get to know somebody you don't ask other people: 'How is she?' You talk to the person herself. And then you don't ask about facts like 'date of birth' or 'profession of parents.' but you talk about essential questions and themes in life.

Can we ever really know anyone well? Let's just say we often found ourselves in each other's company and neither of us minded.

You have to know your man. Girls be like, 'I know my man, I know my man,' but I mean really know him.

I think that sharing experiences with a person is very valuable, because it allows you to have a bond to become closer.

When we speak quietly one to another things somehow get settled.

I said, “I just want to know you and then disappear.” She said, “Knowing me does not mean dying.

In order to know somebody through their words, I mean, it has to be an, it has to be a letter, you know? It has to be a long e-mail. It has to be a five-page hand-written letter, you know, it has to be overwhelming and messy and sloppy as humans are.

Haec ego non multis (scribo), sed tibi: satis enim magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus. I am writing this not to many, but to you: certainly we are a great enough audience for each other.

Understanding one another means that objects, including sounds, have the same value for both with respect to carrying on a common pursuit.

You don’t annoy me.” Carefully he rebuttoned the placket of her shirt. “I thought you did, at first. But now I realize it was more like the feeling you get when your foot’s been asleep. And when you start moving, the blood coming back into it is uncomfortable . . . but also good. Do you understand what I mean?” “Yes. I make your feet tingle.” A smile came to his lips. “Among other things.

He shrugged. "I was...thinking." "About what?" "The fires of purgatory." She had to sit down. He wasn't making any sense now. "What does that mean?" she asked. "Patrick told me he would walk through the fires of purgatory if he had to in order to please his wife." She went over to the bed and sat down on the side. "And?" she prodded when he didn't continue. He stripped out of his clothing and walked over to her. He pulled her to her feet and stared down to her. "And I have only just realized I would do the same for you.

The letter we all love to receive is one that carries so much of the writer’s personality that she seems to be sitting beside us, looking at us directly and talking just as she really would, could she have come on a magic carpet, instead of sending her proxy in ink-made characters on mere paper.

Converse, converse, CONVERSE, with living men, face to face, mind to mind-that is one of the best sources of knowledge.

If one partner gives himself completely, he breaks down the barriers of the other, however strong they may be. Because the act of giving means: "I trust you". The other, who to begin with may feel rather intimidated, wanting to prove things which aren't even under discussion, is unarmed by the spontaneity of such an attitude, and relaxes. At that moment, true sexual energy comes into play.

Sex is a conversation carried out by another means.

Being right doesn’t mean you win. You win by establishing credibility, a relationship, and trust.

We didn't talk much. But we didn't need to.