The idea of private property universal but private, the idea of families free but still families, of domesticity democratic but still domestic, of one man one house - this remains the real vision and magnet of mankind. The world may accept something more official and general, less human and intimate. But the world will be like a broken-hearted woman who makes a humdrum marriage because she may not make a happy one; Socialism may be the world's deliverance, but it is not the world's desire.

Family is the theatre of the spiritual drama, the place where things happen, especially the things that matter.

If you know what a man's doing, get in front of him; but if you want to guess what he's doing keep behind him.

There is nothing the matter with Americans except their ideals. The real American is all right; it is the ideal American who is all wrong.

Thrift is the really romantic thing; economy is more romantic than extravagance... thrift is poetic because it is creative; waste is unpoetic because it is waste... if a man could undertake to make use of all the things in his dustbin, he would be a broader genius than Shakespeare.

The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.

Well, if I am not drunk, I am mad," replied Syme with perfect calm; "but I trust I can behave like a gentleman in either condition.