The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful.

It is yet another Civilized Power, with its banner of the Prince of Peace in one hand and its loot-basket and its butcher-knife in the other. Is there no salvation for us but to adopt Civilization and lift ourselves down to its level?.

Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead.

So much blood has been shed by the Church because of an omission from the Gospel: “Ye shall be indifferent as to what your neighbor's religion is.” Not merely tolerant of it, but indifferent to it. Divinity is claimed for many religions; but no religion is great enough or divine enough to add that new law to its code.

There is probably no pleasure equal to the pleasure of climbing a dangerous Alp; but it is a pleasure which is confined strictly to people who can find pleasure in it.

The writing begins when you’ve finished. Only then do you know what you’re trying to say.

As a rule, we go about with masks, we go about looking honest, and we are able to conceal ourselves all through the day.