Self-denial is not a virtue; it is only the effect of prudence on rascality.

Life at its noblest leaves mere happiness far behind; and indeed cannot endure it. Happiness is not the object of life: life has no object: it is an end in itself; and courage consists in the readiness to sacrifice happiness for an intenser quality of life.

Altogether too many sheep

The right to know is like the right to live. It is fundamental and unconditional in its assumption that knowledge, like life, is a desirable thing.

You have set up in New York Harbor a monstrous idol which you call Liberty. The only thing that remains to complete that monument is to put on its pedestal the inscription written by Dante on the gate of hell: All hope abandon ye who enter here.

Money is indeed the most important thing in the world; and all sound and successful personal and national morality should have this fact for its basis.

The great dramatist has something better to do than to amuse either himself or his audience. He has to interpret life.