“There is absolutely no must in things except the Must of being born and dying.”

Advice against becoming a slave to custom and appearances · Letter to Helen Coleman, 27 March 1913

• Convention
• Freedom
• Life

“I don't think I should have been a respectable lady if I'd lived in them days. I'd have gone off with anyone who looked like that. Daphne was a fool.”

Playful revolt against respectability after quoting Swinburne on Apollo · Letter to Helen Coleman, 4 August 1910

• Convention
• Desire
• Rebellion

“Emotions with a foreknowledge of impermanence, a daring mind with only the tongue as outlet, a greed for experience plus a slavery to convention — what the deuce are you to make of that? As a man, you could go ahead and stir things up fine.”

On the constraints of gender upon appetite for life and speech · Letter to Helen Coleman, 29 December 1919

• Experience
• Freedom
• Gender