Yet, when one thinks of it, diplomacy without force is a but a rotten reed to lean upon.

The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas.

They trespassed upon my thoughts. They were intruders whose knowledge of life was to me an irritating pretense, because I felt so sure they could not possibly know the things I knew. Their bearing, which was simply the bearing of commonplace individuals going about their business in the assurance of perfect safety, was offensive to me like the outrageous flauntings of folly in the face of a danger it is unable to comprehend. I had no particular desire to enlighten them, but I had some difficulty in restraining myself from laughing in their faces, so full of stupid importance.

It’s extraordinary how we go through life with eyes half shut, with dull ears, with dormant thoughts. Perhaps it’s just as well; and it may be that it is this very dullness that makes life to the incalculable majority so supportable and so welcome.

Sometimes it takes all my resolution and power of self-control to refrain from butting my head against the wall. I want to howl and foam at the mouth but I daren't.

The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.

It is my belief no man ever understands quite his own artful dodges to escape from the grim shadow of self knowledge.