Miserliness is the one vice that grows stronger with increasing years. It yields its sordid pleasures to the end.

People who pin their faith to a catchword never feel the necessity of understanding anything.

We owe to one another all the wit and good humour we can command; and nothing so clears our mental vistas as sympathetic and intelligent conversation.

If everybody floated with the tide of talk, placidity would soon end in stagnation. It is the strong backward stroke which stirs the ripples, and gives animation and variety.

Lovers of the town have been content, for the most part, to say they loved it. They do not brag about its uplifting qualities. They have none of the infernal smugness which makes the lover of the country insupportable.

There are many ways of asking a favor; but to assume that you are granting the favor that you ask shows spirit and invention.

fair play is less characteristic of groups than of individuals.