The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing, it is the thing to watch over and care for and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous. . . .

I don't know of a single foreign product that enters this country untaxed, except the answer to prayer.

It is wiser to find out than to suppose.

If the bubble reputation can be obtained only at the cannon's mouth, I am willing to go there for it, provided the cannon is empty.

There are no grades of vanity; there are only grades of ability in concealing it.

But we are all insane, anyway ... The suicides seem to be the only sane people.

I do not want Michael Angelo for breakfast-but for luncheon-for dinner- for tea-for supper-for between meals.