A new philosophy generally means in practice the praise of some old vice.

To be simple is the best thing in the world.

When a politician is in opposition he is an expert on the means to some end; and when he is in office he is an expert on the obstacles to it.

All men thirst to confess their crimes more than tired beasts thirst for water; but they naturally object to confessing them while other people, who have also committed the same crimes, sit by and laugh at them.

The strangest whim has seized me ... After all I think I will not hang myself today.

'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying 'My mother, drunk or sober.'

The determining bulk of Scotch people had heard of golf ever since they had heard of God and often considered the two as of equal importance.