The value of an idea has nothing whatsoever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it. Indeed, the probabilities are that the more insincere the man is, the more purely intellectual will the idea be, as in that case it will not be coloured by either his wants, his desires, or his prejudices.

Perhaps in nearly every joy, as certainly in every pleasure, cruelty has its place.

The quivering, ardent sunlight showed him the lines of cruelty round the mouth as clearly as if he had been looking into a mirror after he had done some dreadful thing.

Genius lasts longer than Beauty. That accounts for the fact that we all take such pains to over-educate ourselves.

The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.

When a love comes to an end, weaklings cry, efficient ones instantly find another love, and the wise already have one in reserve.

All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling. To be natural is to be obvious, and to be obvious is to be inartistic.