Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist.

Every man speaks of public opinion, and means by public opinion, public opinion minus his opinion.

Marriage is a duel to the death which no man of honour should decline.

The great ideals of the past failed not by being outlived (which must mean over-lived), but by not being lived enough. Mankind has not passed through the Middle Ages. Rather mankind has retreated from the Middle Ages in reaction and rout. The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.

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

My attitude toward progress has passed from antagonism to boredom. I have long ceased to argue with people who prefer Thursday to Wednesday because it is Thursday.

People in high life are hardened to the wants and distresses of mankind as surgeons are to their bodily pains.