Literary tradition is full of lies about poverty-the jolly beggar, the poor but happy milkmaid, the wholesome diet of porridge, etc.

Self-pity dries up our sympathy for others.

In adding up her assets, the ambitious lady calculated the worth of her beautiful body as coldly as everything else.

With age, I have become both more pious and more shameless.

Laughter and tears may not persuade, but they cannot be refuted.

Moo may represent an idea, but only the cow knows.

Early every morning an old woman goes to the market to curse a grocery clerk, who curses back.