I have been an author for 20 years and an ass for 55.

What is there that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man's breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery!

Go and surprise the whole country by doing something right.

To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement.

Ours is a terrible religion. The fleets of the world could swim in spacious comfort in the innocent blood it has spilt.

The banging and slamming and booming and crashing were something beyond belief. [On Lohengrin]

Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.