The history of any nation follows an undulatory course. In the trough of the wave we find more or less complete anarchy; but the crest is not more or less complete Utopia, but only, at best, a tolerably humane, partially free and fairly just society that invariably carries within itself the seeds of its own decadence.

For what we think and feel and are is to a great extent determined by the state of our ductless glands and our viscera.

Most of one's life is one prolonged effort to prevent oneself thinking.

The pleasures of ignorance are as great, in their way, as the pleasures of knowledge.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.

Like every man of sense and good feeling, I abominate work.

For the born traveller, travelling is a besetting vice. Like other vices, it is imperious, demanding its victim's time, money, energy and the sacrifice of comfort.