Children are never too tender to be whipped. Like tough beefsteaks, the more you beat them, the more tender they become.

The greater amount of truth is impulsively uttered; thus the greater amount is spoken, not written.

I have made no money. I am as poor now as ever I was in my life - except in hope, which is by no means bankable.

Stupidity is a talent for misconception.

Even with the utterly lost, to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made.

My next thought concerned the choice of an impression, or effect, to be conveyed: and here I may as well observe that, throughout the construction, I kept steadily in view the design.

Boston: Their hotels are bad. Their pumpkin pies are delicious. Their poetry is not so good.