The lowest and vilest alleys of London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.

Life, it turns out, is infinitely more clever and adaptable than anyone had ever supposed.

Dogmas of every kind put assertion in the place of reason and give rise to more contention, bitterness, and want of charity than any other influence in human affairs.

As a rule, the more bizarre a thing is, the less mysterious it proves to be.

London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained.

I must apologize for calling so late," said he, "and I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall.

There is no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it is that strikes him, and why retribution has come upon him.