When you invite a middle-aged moralist to address you, I suppose I must conclude that you have a taste for middle-aged moralizing.

Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

Tea should be taken in solitude.

When you invite a middle-aged moralist to address you, I suppose I must conclude that you have a taste for middle-aged moralizing.

..(T)here are two opposite reasons for being a democrat. You may think all men so good that they deserve a share in the government of the commonwealth, and so wise that the commonwealth needs their advice. That is, in my opinion, the false, romantic doctrine of democracy. On the other hand, you may believe fallen men to be so wicked that not one of them can be trusted with any irresponsible power over his fellows.

We are not the playwright, we are not the producer, we are not even the audience. We are on the stage.