It is a dangerous thing to reform anyone.
The very essence of romance is uncertainty.
As one reads history ... one is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted.
If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.
It is so easy to convince others; it is so difficult to convince oneself.
As one knows the poet by his fine music, so one can recognize the liar by his rich rhythmic utterance, and in neither case will the casual inspiration of the moment suffice. Here, as elsewhere, practice must precede perfection.