If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here would be quite civilized.

As a wicked man I am a complete failure. Why, there are lots of people who say I have never really done anything wrong in the whole course of my life. Of course they only say it behind my back.

If a friend of mine gave a feast, and did not invite me to it, I should not mind a bit. But if a friend of mine had a sorrow and refused to allow me to share it, I should feel it most bitterly.

Miss Prism: Do not speak slightingly of the three-volume novel, Cecily. I wrote one myself in earlier days. Cecily: Did you really, Miss Prism? How wonderfully clever you are! I hope it did not end happily? I don't like novels that end happily. They depress me so much. Miss Prism: The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.

When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood it is hard to shake hands with her.

He would stab his best friend for the sake of writing an epigraph on his tombstone.

What consoles one nowadays is not repentance but pleasure. Repentance is quite out of date.