Shall we go on conferring our Civilization upon the peoples that sit in darkness, or shall we give those poor things a rest?

Definite speech means clarity of mind.

I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.

In the South the war is what A.D. is elsewhere; they date from it.

I like a thin book because it will Steady a Table, a leather volume because it will Strop a Razor, and a heavy book because it can be Thrown at a Cat.

A private should preserve a respectful attitude toward his superiors, and should seldom or never proceed so far as to offer suggestions to his general in the field. If the battle is not being conducted to suit him, it is better for him to resign. By the etiquette of war, it is permitted to none below the rank of newspaper correspondent to dictate to the general in the field.

I think a compliment ought always to precede a complaint, where one is possible, because it softens resentment and insures for the complaint a courteous and gentle reception.