Under attack, sentiments harden into dogma.

Living too long exacts a painful price.

To be a social success, do not act pathetic, arrogant, or bored. Do not discuss your unhappy childhood, your visit to the dentist,the shortcomings of your cleaning woman, the state of your bowels, or your spouse's bad habits. You will be thought a paragon (or perhaps a monster) of good behavior.

Too timid to talk back, I shot my adversary.

Power makes gods. Virtue makes martyrs.

A sense of absurdity interferes with my efforts to appear venerable.

We express disappointment in everything except ourselves.