a good oyster cannot please the palate as acutely as a bad one can revolt it, and a good oyster cannot make him who eats it live for ever though a bad one can make him dead for ever.

No great thing happens suddenly.

There is no escape from mystery. It is the character of our being.

Any authentic work of art must start an argument between the artist and his audience.

Art is not a luxury, but a necessity.

International relationships are preordained to be clumsy gestures based on imperfect knowledge.

History sometimes acts as madly as heredity, and her most unpredictable performances are often her most glorious.