To have her meals, and her daily walk, and her fill of novels, and to be left alone, was all that she asked of the gods.

Romance is very pretty in novels, but the romance of a life is always a melancholy matter. They are most happy who have no story to tell.

I never knew a government yet that wanted to do anything.

Poverty, to be picturesque, should be rural. Suburban misery is as hideous as it is pitiable.

My belief of book writing is much the same as my belief as to shoemaking. The man who will work the hardest at it, and will work with the most honest purpose, will work the best.

I run great risk of failing. It may be that I shall encounter ruin where I look for reputation and a career of honor. The chances are perhaps more in favour of ruin than of success. But, whatever may be the chances, I shall go on as long as any means of carrying on the fight are at my disposal.

A man can't do what he likes with his coverts.