Music clouds the intellect but clarifies the heart.

When I hear the word 'culture', I reach for my checkbook.

As between the skulking and furtive poacher, who hunts for the sake of meat, and the honest gentleman shooter, who kills for the pleasure of sport, I find the former a higher type of humanity.

Once upon a time, I dreamed of becoming a great man. Later, a good man. Now, finally, I find it difficult enough and honor enough to be -- a man.

My own best books have not been published. In fact, they've not even been written yet.

Recorded history is largely an account of the crimes and disasters committed by banal little men at the levers of imperial machines.

A life without tragedy would not be worth living.