Archer had always been inclined to think that chance and circumstance played a small part in shaping people's lots compared with their innate tendency to have things happen to them.

Happiness is a work of art. Handle with care.

We can't behave like people in novels, though, can we?

There are lots of ways of being miserable, but there's only one way of being comfortable, and that is to stop running round after happiness. If you make up your mind not to be happy there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time.

I shan't be lonely now. I was lonely; I was afraid. But the emptiness and the darkness are gone; when I turn back into myself now I'm like a child going at night into a room where there's always a light.

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

What's the use of making mysteries? It only makes people want to nose 'em out.