The youth of an art is, like the youth of anything else, its most interesting period.

They say the test of [literary power] is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, "Can he name a kitten?" And by this test I am condemned, for I cannot.

There should be asylums for habitual teetotalers, but they would probably relapse into teetotalism as soon as they got out.

Prayers are to men as dolls are to children. They are not without use and comfort, but it is not easy to take them very seriously.

When the water of a place is bad it is safest to drink none that has not been filtered through either the berry of a grape, or else a tub of malt. These are the most reliable filters yet invented.

Inspiration is never genuine if it is known as inspiration at the time. True inspiration always steals on a person; its importance not being fully recognized for some time.

Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.