Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.

Opportunity: A favorable occasion for grasping a disappointment.

TRUTHFUL, adj. Dumb and illiterate.

CUNNING, n. The faculty that distinguishes a weak animal or person from a strong one. It brings its possessor much mental satisfaction and great material adversity. An Italian proverb says: "The furrier gets the skins of more foxes than asses."

Optimist – A proponent of the doctrine that black is white.

ORATORY, n. A conspiracy between speech and action to cheat the understanding. A tyranny tempered by stenography.

A comely female inhabiting the Mohammedan Paradise to make things cheery for the good Mussulman, whose belief in her existence marks a noble discontent with his earthly spouse, whom he denies a soul.