Fine art is the subtlest, the most seductive, the most effective instrument of moral propaganda in the world, excepting only the example of personal conduct; and I waive even this exception in favor of the art of the stage, because it works by exhibiting examples of personal conduct made intelligible and moving to crowds of unobservant unreflecting people to whom real life means nothing.

It is always necessary to overstate a cast startlingly to make people sit up and listen to it, and to frighten them into acting on it.

Those who admire modern civilization usually identify it with the steam engine and the electric telegraph.

It is the end of happiness and the beginning of peace.

Only in books has mankind known perfect truth, love and beauty.

If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.

The only way in which a nation can make itself wealthy and prosperous is by good housekeeping: that is, by providing for its wants in the order of their importance, and allowing no money to be wasted on whims and luxuries until necessities have been thoroughly served.