What, unless biological science is a mass of errors, is the cause of human intelligence and vigour? Hardship and freedom: conditions under which the active, strong, and subtle survive and the weaker go to the wall; conditions that put a premium upon the loyal alliance of capable men, upon self-restraint, patience, and decision. And the institution of the family, and the emotions that arise therein, the fierce jealousy, the tenderness for offspring, parental self-devotion, all found their justification and support in the imminent dangers of the young.

If you do not want to explore an egoism you should not read autobiography.

Leaders should lead as far as they can and then vanish. Their ashes should not choke the fire they have lit.

We're in a blessed drainpipe, and we've got to crawl along it till we die.

I write as straight as I can, just as I walk as straight as I can, because that is the best way to get there.

Few people realise the immensity of vacancy in which the dust of the material universe swims.

To be honest, one must be inconsistent.