Of all forms of human error, prophesy is the most avoidable.

He who rules must fully humor as much as he commands.

When one is grateful for something too good for common thanks, writing is less unsatisfactory than speech-one does not, at least, hear how inadequate the words are.

In the vain laughter of folly wisdom hears half its applause.

But that intimacy of mutual embarrassment, in which each feels that the other is feeling something, having once existed, its effect is not to be done away with.

The perpetual mourner -- the grief that can never be healed -- is innocently enough felt to be wearisome by the rest of the world. And my sense of desolation increases. Each day seems a new beginning -- a new acquaintance with grief.

To manage men one ought to have a sharp mind in a velvet sheath.