Life is a huge farce, and the advantage of possessing a sense of humour is that it enables one to defy fate with mocking laughter.

I hate and fear 'science' because of my conviction that, for long to come if not for ever, it will be the remorseless enemy of mankind. I see it destroying all simplicity and gentleness of life, all the beauty of the world; I see it restoring barbarism under a mask of civilization; I see it darkening men's minds and hardening their hearts.

Human creatures have a mervellous power of adapting themselves to necessity.

Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?

Life, I fancy, would very often be insupportable, but for the luxury of self compassion.

The mind which renounces, once and for ever, a futile hope, has its compensation in ever-growing calm.

That is one of the bitter curses of poverty; it leaves no right to be generous.