Genuine bon mots surprise those from whose lips they fall, no less than they do those who listen to them.

Every modulated sound is not a song, and every voice that executes a beautiful air does not sing. Singing should enchant. But to produce this effect there must be a quality of soul and voice which is by no means common even with great singers.

Fancy, an animal faculty, is very different from imagination, which is intellectual. The former is passive; but the latter is active and creative. Children, the weak minded, and the timid are full of fancy. Men and women of intellect, of great intellect, are alone possessed of great imagination.

Mediocrity is excellence in the eyes of the mediocre.

Genuine bon mots surprise those from whose lips they fall, no less than they do those who listen to them.

Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.

We shall always keep a spare corner in our heads to give passing hospitality to our friends' opinion.