Noble causes have a deplorable effect on the morals of the persons who espouse them.

When emotion supersedes reason ... gullibility must follow.

People who relate what they believe to be new and startling information like to have such information received with exclamations of astonishment and admiration.

Children, I feel, are as much entitled to privacy as human beings.

I would not be at all surprised to find that it was for gold that Cain committed the first murder. (It happened a very long time ago, and Holy Writ, though no doubt divinely inspired, is a trifle careless about details. God is not a historian).

Ramses had always been fond of Helen, in his peculiar fashion, but if he had looked at me as he was looking at her, I would have sent for a constable.

The only people who are not in awe of Emerson's powerful voice and well-nigh superhuman strength are the members of his own family. He is aware of this, and often complains about it; so from time to time I like to put on a little show of being intimidated. 'Proceed, my dear,' I said apologetically.