"The English, Goethe said in parting, are the shining brown varnish on the sad chiffonier of civilization."

"Art, Goethe said, is the four percent interest on the municipal bond of life. He was very pleased with this remark an…"

"Food, said Goethe, is the topmost taper on the golden candelabrum of existence."

"Music, said Goethe, is the frozen tapioca in the ice sheet of History."

"They called for more structure, then, so we brought in some big hairy four-by-fours from the back shed and nailed the…"

"Walking down West Broadway on a Saturday afternoon. Barking art caged in the high white galleries, don’t go inside or…"

"“Actually I can’t stand artists,” she says. “Like who in particular?” “Like that woman who puts chewing gum on her st…"

"Connors decided that “Shall we get married?” was an inappropriate second remark to make to one newly met, but it was …"

"November 13, 1823 I was walking home from the theatre with Goethe this evening when we saw a small boy in a plum-colo…"

"Goethe had been having great difficulties with a particular actress at the theatre, a person who conceived that her o…"