A better idea than my own is to listen.

But the elastic heart of youth cannot be compressed into one constrained shape long at a time.

In Marseilles they make half the toilet soap we consume in America, but the Marseillaise only have a vague theoretical idea of its use, which they have obtained from books of travel.

Our Congresses consist of Christians. In their private life they are true to every obligation of honor; yet in every session they violate them all, and do it without shame. Because honor to party is above honor to themselves.

There is only one expert who is qualified to examine the souls and the life of a people and make a valuable report - the native novelist. ... And when a thousand able novels have been written, there you have the soul of the people; and not anywhere else can these be had.

To be great, truly great, you have to be the kind of person who makes the others around you great.

There are times when one would like to hang the whole human race, and finish the farce.