An essential element for good writing is a good ear: One must listen to the sound of one's own prose.

One constant among the elements of 1914—as of any era—was the disposition of everyone on all sides not to prepare for the harder alternative, not to act upon what they suspected to be true.

I ask myself, have nations ever declined from a loss of moral sense rather than from physical reasons or the pressure of barbarians? I think that they have.

We seem to be afflicted by a widespread and eroding reluctance to take any stand on any values, moral, behavioral or esthetic.

Strong prejudices in an ill-formed mind are hazardous to government, and when combined with a position of power even more so.

Above all, discard the irrelevant.

An essential element for good writing is a good ear: One must listen to the sound of one's own prose.