Theories have nothing to do with life.

I ain't never seen no head so level that it could bear the lettin' in of politics.

Tilling the fertile soil of man's vanity.

Dignity is an anachronism.

There is no monster more destructive than the inventive mind that has outstripped philosophy.

I revolted from sentimentality, less because it was false than because it was cruel.

you can't fit the same religion to every man any mo' than you can the same pair of breeches. The big man takes the big breeches an' the little man takes the small ones, an' it's jest the same with religion. It may be cut after one pattern, but it's might apt to get its shape from the wearer inside. Why, thar ain't any text so peaceable that it ain't drawn blood from somebody.