It is very good for a man to talk about what he does not understand; as long as he understands that he does not understand it.

Every man who will not have softening of the heart must at last have softening of the brain

He wondered why the pelican was the symbol of charity, except it was that it wanted a good deal of charity to admire a pelican.

Family is the theatre of the spiritual drama, the place where things happen, especially the things that matter.

When it wishes anything done which is really serious, it collects twelve of the ordinary men standing round. The same thing was done, if I remember right, by the Founder of Christianity.

I have formed a very clear conception of patriotism. I have generally found it thrust into the foreground by some fellow who has something to hide in the background. I have seen a great deal of patriotism; and I have generally found it the last refuge of the scoundrel.

The reason that angels fly is that they take themselves so lightly.