You don't learn to hold your own in the world by standing on guard, but by attacking, and getting well hammered yourself.

Deep knowledge is not knowledge of the thing itself, but knowledge of a thing like the thing. Then, you gain not one knowledge, but two knowledges. Of the thing. And of the original thing with is like the thing. Which is the barbarism of the privileged class.

It is doubtless wise, when a reform is introduced, to try to persuade the British public that it is not a reform at all; but appearances must be kept up to some extent at least.

All great Truth first starts as Blasphemy.

The degree of tolerance attainable at any moment depends on the strain under which society is maintaining its cohesion.

Suppose the world were only one of God's jokes, would you work any the less to make it a good joke instead of a bad one?

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.