The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them.

But pure wit is akin to Puritanism; to the perfect and painful consciousness of the final fact in the universe. Very briefly, the man who sees the consistency in things is a wit - and a Calvinist. The man who sees the inconsistency in things is a humorist - and a Catholic.

In truth, there are only two kinds of people; those who accept dogma and know it, and those who accept dogma and don't know it.

The humorous look of children is perhaps the most endearing of all the bonds that hold the Cosmos together.

The outer ring of Christianity is a rigid guard of ethical abnegations and professional priests; but inside that inhuman guard you will find the old human life dancing like children and drinking wine like men; for Christianity is the only frame for pagan freedom. But in the modern philosophy the case is opposite; it is its outer ring that is obviously artistic and emancipated; its despair is within.

Moderate strength is shown in violence, supreme strength is shown in levity.

Puritanism was an honourable mood; it was a noble fad. In other words, it was a highly creditable mistake.