A man of genius is not a man who sees more than other men do. On the contrary, it is very often found that he is absentminded andobserves much less than other people.... Why is it that the public have such an exaggerated respect for him--after he is dead? The reason is that the man of genius understands the importance of the few things he sees.

Democracy is a word all public men use and none understand.

Vulgarity in a king flatters the majority of the nation.

Where there is no religion, hypocrisy becomes good taste.

Here there is no hope, and consequently no duty, no work, nothing to be gained by praying, nothing to be lost by doing what you like. Hell, in short, is a place where you have nothing to do but amuse yourself.

Success covers a multitude of blunders.

The things most people want to know about are usually none of their business.