The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring. Paintings of Moreau are paintings of ideas. The deepest poetry of Shelley, the words of Hamlet bring our mind into contact with the eternal wisdom; Plato's world of ideas. All the rest is the speculation of schoolboys for schoolboys.

I think a child should be allowed to take his father's or mother's name at will on coming of age. Paternity is a legal fiction.

Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.

People could put up with being bitten by a wolf but what properly riled them was a bite from a sheep.

History is that nightmare from which there is no awakening.

Ireland sober is Ireland stiff.

To learn one must be humble. But life is the great teacher.