If suffering brought wisdom, the dentist's office would be full of luminous ideas.

Literary criticism now is all pranks and polemics.

Ironic and jittery, we are puzzled by the old heroes with their fighting, boasting, and cocksure lovemaking.

Politics inflame the passions in a way that few beloveds can match.

Pleasure usually comes when called, but not happiness.

Children must be protected not because they are innocent but because they are powerless.

We do justice coldly, injustice hotly.