My main reason for adopting literature as a profession was that, as the author is never seen by his clients, he need not dress respectably.

The worst sin... is... to be indifferent.

The greatest thing in life is to die young - but delay it as long as possible.

If you lived in London, where the whole system is one of false good-fellowship, and you may know a man for twenty years without finding out that he hates you like poison, you would soon have your eyes opened. There we do unkind things in a kind way: we say bitter things in a sweet voice: we always give our friends chloroform when we tear them to pieces.

Defeatism is the wretchedest of policies.

Seemingly unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. Much progress, therefore, depends on such people.

Pothinus: "Is it possible that Caesar, the conqueror of the world, has time to occupy himself with such a trifle as our taxes?" Caesar: "My friend, taxes are the chief business of a conqueror of the world.