Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.

Just as the worst slave-owners were those who were kind to their slaves, and so prevented the horror of the system being realized by those who suffered from it, and understood by those who contemplated it, so, in the present state of things in England, the people who do most harm are the people who try to do most good.

A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal.

A man who does not think for himself does not think at all. It is grossly selfish to require of one's neighbour that he should think in the same way, and hold the same opinions. Why should he? If he can think, he will probably think differently. If he cannot think, it is monstrous to require thought of any kind from him.

I asked the question for the best reason possible, for the only reason, indeed, that excuses anyone for asking any question - simple curiosity.

Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.

Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.