The pessimist is seldom an agitating individual. His creed breeds indifference to others, and he does not trouble himself to thrust his views upon the unconvinced.

The great dividing line between books that are made to be read and books that are made to be bought is not the purely modern thing it seems. We can trace it, if we try, back to the first printing-presses.

For indeed all that we think so new to-day has been acted over and over again, a shifting comedy, by the women of every century.

A world of vested interests is not a world which welcomes the disruptive force of candor.

Innovations to which we are not committed are illuminating things.

If history in the making be a fluid thing, it swiftly crystallizes.

Whatever has "wit enough to keep it sweet" defies corruption and outlasts all time; but the wit must be of that outward and visible order which needs no introduction or demonstration at our hands.