Whenever cannibals are on the brink of starvation, Heaven, in its infinite mercy, sends them a fat missionary.

The birds did not understand a single word of what he was saying, but that made no matter, for they put their heads on one side, and looked wise, which is quite as good as understanding a thing, and very much easier.

Marco Polo had seen the inhabitants of Zipangu place rose-colored pearls in the mouths of the dead. A sea-monster had been enamoured of the pearl that the diver brought to King Perozes, and had slain the thief, and mourned for seven moons over its loss.

We women adore failures. They lean on us.

Palermo was lovely. The most beautifully situated town in the world - it dreams away its life in the Conca d'Oro, the exquisite valley that lies between two seas. The lemon groves and the orange gardens were entirely perfect.

Though of all poses a moral pose is the most offensive, still to have a pose at all is something.

And alien tears will fill for him pity's long broken urn. For his mourners will all be outcast men, and outcasts always mourn.