Men can construct a science with very few instruments, or with very plain instruments; but no one on earth could construct a science with unreliable instruments. A man might work out the whole of mathematics with a handful of pebbles, but not with a handful of clay which was always falling apart into new fragments, and falling together into new combinations. A man might measure heaven and earth with a reed, but not with a growing reed.

The man who throws a bomb is an artist, because he prefers a great moment to everything.

He is only a very shallow critic who cannot see an eternal rebel in the heart of the Conservative.

Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.

Most Americans are born drunk, and really require a little wine or beer to sober them.

The Universe is the most extraordinary masterpiece ever constructed by nobody.

Every work of art has one indispensable mark ... the center of it is simple, however much the fulfillment may be complicated.