It was the passions about whose origin we deceived ourselves that tyrannized most strongly over us.

We in the House of Lords are never in touch with public opinion. That makes us a civilised body.

God grant me the serenity to accept that people are ignorant, the courage to uphold the law when I'm hostile, & the wisdom to realize that murder is illegal.

But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he knows that then he is doing good.

The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happy married life.

It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.

For the canons of good society are, or should be, the same as the canons of art. Form is absolutely essential to it.