The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world. He knows much more of the fierce variety and uncompromising divergences of men…In a large community, we can choose our companions. In a small community, our companions are chosen for us. Thus in all extensive and highly civilized society groups come into existence founded upon sympathy, and shut out the real world more sharply than the gates of a monastery. There is nothing really narrow about the clan; the thing which is really narrow is the clique.

Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.

It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them

Research is the search of people who don't know what they want.

In a world where everything is ridiculous, nothing can be ridiculed. You cannot unmask a mask.

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

When once you have got hold of a vulgar joke, you may be certain that you have got hold of a subtle and spiritual idea.