Just as the historian can teach no real history until he has cured his readers of the romantic delusion that the greatness of a queen consists in her being a pretty woman and having her head cut off, so the playwright of the first order can do nothing with his audience until he has cured them of looking at the stage through the keyhole, and sniffing round the theatre as prurient people sniff round the divorce court.

Remember that I too am mortal.

The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure to wonder whether you are happy or not.

Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart's desire; the other is to get it.

Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.

Do not try to live forever. You will not succeed.

Do not do unto others as you expect they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.