Books are only the shadow and life the real thing. I believe this as strongly as any belief I hold.
they reminded me of the biggest liar I ever knew personally. Was a farmer, too. Reputation of pretty good farmer at that, but he lied so he had to hire another man to call his pigs.
In old age the secret springs of human nature are apt to come out.
If you can't do, you had best shut up.
Nobody can make a monkey out of anyone who isn't a monkey to start with.
Most American heroes of the Revolutionary period are by now two men, the actual man and the romantic image. Some are even three men - the actual man, the image, and the debunked remains.