Even in misery we love to be foremost, to have the bitter in our cup acknowledged as more bitter than that of others.

The ideal is the flower-garden of the mind, and very apt to run to weeds unless carefully tended.

Truly there is nothing in the world so blessed or so sweet as the heritage of children.

every generation has a conceit of itself which elevates it, in its own opinion, above that which comes after it.

The middle of life is the testing-ground of character and strength.

To have a man who can flirt is next thing to indispensable to a leader of society.

As for pictures and museums, that don't trouble me. The worst of going abroad is that you've always got to look at things of that sort. To have to do it at home would be beyond a joke.