Charity is an ugly trick. It is a virtue grown by the rich on the graves of the poor. Unless it is accompanied by sincere revolt against the present social system, it is a cheap moral swagger. In former times it was used as fire insurance by the rich, but now that the fear of Hell has gone along with the rest of revealed religion, it is used either to gild mean lives with nobility or as a political instrument.

Great music is in a sense serene; it is certain of the values it asserts.

Getting a divorce is nearly always as cheerful and useful an occupation as breaking valuable china.

I really write to find out what I know about something and what is to be known about something.

All men should have a drop of treason in their veins, if nations are not to go soft like so many sleepy pears.

It seemed a good idea at the time.

The American struggle for the vote was much more difficult than the English for the simple reason that it was much more easy.