Arthur Waley

Since the classical language has an easy grammar and limited vocabulary, a few months should suffice for the mastering of it.

— Arthur Waley

I have not used rhyme, because what is really, in the long run, of most interest to American readers is what the poems say; and if one uses rhyme, it is impossible not to sacrifice sense to sound.

— Arthur Waley

When translating prose dialogue one ought to make the characters say things that people talking English could conceivably say. One ought to hear them talking, just as a novelist hears his characters talk.

— Arthur Waley

Anyone with a good classical education could learn Chinese by himself without difficulty.

— Arthur Waley

I would rather be dead.

— Arthur Waley