Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its only sure defense.

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

Would it not be prudent to get our civilization tools together, and see how much stock is left on hand in the way of Glass Beads and Theology, and Maxim Guns and Hymn Books, and Trade Gin and Torches of Progress and Enlightenment (patent adjustable ones, good to fire villages with, upon occasion), and balance the books, and arrive at the profit and loss, so that we may intelligently decide whether to continue the business or sellout the property and start a new Civilization Scheme on the proceeds.

I am technically "boss" of the family which I am carrying along-but I am grateful to know that it is only technically - that the real authority rests on the other side of the house. It is placed there by a beneficent Providence, who foresaw before I was born, or, if he did not, he has found it out since - that I am not in any way qualified to travel alone.

Never run after you own hat - others will be delighted to do it; why spoil their fun?

I can always tell which is the front end of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary.

...there isn't often anything in Wagner opera that one would call by such a violent name as acting.