There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author, and the three form a rising scale of compliment: 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart.

A little lie can travel half way 'round the world while Truth is still lacing up her boots.

Man was made at the end of the week's work when God was tired.

The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.

It is noble to teach oneself; it is still nobler to teach others.

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.

He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep still that deadly enemy of man, his own tongue.