Memories and possibilities are even more hideous than realities.

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear.

I expect nothing of man, and disown the race. The only folly is expecting what is never attained; man is most contemptible when compared with his own pretensions. It is better to laugh at man from outside the universe, than to weep for him within.

Something like fear chilled me as I sat there in the small hours alone-I say alone, for one who sits by a sleeper is indeed alone; perhaps more alone than he can realise.

There are black zones of shadow close to our daily paths, and now and then some evil soul breaks a passage through. When that happens, the man who knows must strike before reckoning the consequences.

We shall see that at which dogs howl in the dark, and that at which cats prick up their ears after midnight.

It is good to be a cynic - it is better to be a contented cat - and it is best not to exist at all.