The dirty work at political conventions is almost always done in the grim hours between midnight and dawn. Hangmen and politicians work best when the human spirit is at its lowest ebb.

Reporters thrive on the world's misfortune. For this reason they often take an indecent pleasure in events that dismay the rest of humanity.

The biographer's problem is that he never knows enough. The autobiographer's problem is that he knows too much.

Misery no longer loves company. Nowadays it insists on it.

You can't enjoy light verse with a heavy heart.

Caution: These verses may be hazardous to your solemnity.

It's always seemed odd to me that after a group of terrorists commits a vile and odious deed they rush messages to the public to claim credit for it.