envy, as a rule, is of success rather than of merit. No one would have objected to his talent deserving recognition - only to his getting it.

Thou canst not serve both cod and salmon.

A butler in an English household should, however, be English, and as much like an archbishop as possible.

It's always something to get one's wish, even if the wish is a failure.

Modesty is a valuable merit ... in people who have no other, and the appearance of it is extremely useful to those who have.

Fog and hypocrisy - that is to say, shadow, convention, decency - these were the very things that lent to London its poetry and romance.

You don’t know a woman until you have had a letter from her.