Men prominent in life are mostly hard to converse with. They lack small-talk, and at the same time one doesn't like to confront them with their own great themes.
Only the insane take themselves seriously.
To give and then not feel that one has given is the very best of all ways of giving.
For people who like that kind of thing, this is the kind of thing they like.
Pessimism does win us great happy moments.
It is a part of English hypocrisy or English reserve, that whilst we are fluent enough in grumbling about small inconveniences, we insist on making light of any great difficulties or grief's that may beset us.