The work of art is to dominate the spectator: the spectator is not to dominate the work of art.

The liar at any rate recognizes that recreation, not instruction, is the aim of conversation, and is a far more civilized being than the blockhead who loudly expresses his disbelief in a story which is told simply for the amusement of the company.

Imitation is the homage mediocrity pays to greatness.

The only thing worse than being misquoted is being sentenced to two years' hard labour for buggery

Clergymen and people who use phrases without wisdom sometimes talk of suffering as a mystery. It is really a revelation.

It is because Humanity has never known where it was going that it has been able to find its way.

To begin with, I dined there on Monday, and once a week is quite enough to dine with one's own relations.