the mysterious complexity of our life is not to be embraced by maxims ... to lace ourselves up in formulas of that sort is to repress all the divine promptings and inspirations that spring from growing insight and sympathy.

in certain crises direct expression of sympathy is the least possible to those who most feel sympathy.

History, we know, is apt to repeat itself.

No compliment can be eloquent, except as an expression of indifference.

Effective magic is transcendent nature.

A difference of taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.

bad literature of the sort called amusing is spiritual gin.