When "everyone knows" that something is so, it is always more interesting and often illuminating to assumeexactly the opposite, and to see where that leads.

I am not fighting a hopeless fight. People who have fought in real fights don't, as a rule.

Aristocracy is an atmosphere; it is sometimes a healthy atmosphere; but it is very hard to say when it becomes an unhealthy atmosphere. You can prove that a man is not the son of a king, or that he is not the delegate of a definite number of people. But you cannot prove that a man is not a gentleman.

For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy.

Democracy is like blowing your nose. You may not do it well, but it's something you ought to do yourself.

There is nothing harder to learn than painting and nothing which most people take less trouble about learning.

And they that rule in England, in stately conclaves met, alas, alas for England they have no graves as yet.