Only the fact that we are unaware how well our nearest know us enables us to live with them.

Society soon grows used to any state of things which is imposed upon it without explanation.

One of the first obligations of art is to make all useful things beautiful.

Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive.

The worst of doing one's duty was that it apparently unfitted one for doing anything else.

To be able to look life in the face: that's worth living in a garret for, isn't it?

There is too much sour grapes for my taste in the present American attitude. The time to denounce the bankers was when we were all feeding off their gold plate; not now! At present they have not only my sympathy but my preference. They are the last representatives of our native industries.