nothing is as conventional as adolescence.

Twenty-five years ago, Christmas was not the burden that it is now; there was less haggling and weighing, less quid pro quo, less fatigue of body, less weariness of soul; and, most of all, there was less loading up with trash.

... perhaps there is no conceit so arrogant as the conceit which follows a conviction of emancipation.

We've all of us got to meet the devil alone. Temptation is a lonely business.

When one promise jostles another, one of 'em isn't a promise.

When two duties jostle each other, one of 'em isn't a duty.

There's one thing that always interests me about you good people, not your certainty that the rest of us are swine, - no doubt we are, - but your certainty that your opinions are pearls.