It seems to me,' said the other, 'That you are simply seeking a pretext to insult the Marquis.' By George!' said Syme facing round and looking at him, 'What a clever chap you are!

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.

I have myself a poetical enthusiasm for pigs, and the paradise of my fancy is one where pigs have wings. But it is only men, especially wise men, who discuss whether pigs can fly; we have no particular proof that pigs ever discuss it.

There must be some good in the life of battle, for so many good men have enjoyed being soldiers.

A man cannot deserve adventures; he cannot earn dragons and hippogriffs.

But I was frightfully fond of the universe and wanted to address it by a diminutive. I often did so; and it never seemed to mind.

Most Americans ... have a sort of permanent intoxication from within, a sort of invisible champagne.