There is a sort of human paste that when it comes near the fire of enthusiasm is only baked into harder shape.

I have no courage to write much unless I am written to. I soon begin to think that there are plenty of other correspondents more interesting - so if you all want to hear from me you know the conditions.

The desire to conquer is itself a sort of subjection.

I've been turning it over in after-dinner speeches, but it looks awkward-it's not what people are used to-it wants a good deal of Latin to make it go down.

In the ages since Adam's marriage, it has been good for some men to be alone, and for some women also.

But I think it is hardly an argument against a man's general strength of character, that he should be apt to be mastered by love. A fine constitution doesn't insure one against small-pox or any other of those inevitable diseases. A man may be very firm in other matters, and yet be under a sort of witchery from a woman.

You are a good young man," she said. "But I do not like husbands. I will never have another.