The writing of solid, instructive stuff fortified by facts and figures is easy enough. There is no trouble in writing a scientific treatise on the folk-lore of Central China, or a statistical enquiry into the declining population of Prince Edward Island. But to write something out of one's own mind, worth reading for its own sake, is an arduous contrivance only to be achieved in fortunate moments, few and far in between. Personally, I would sooner have written Alice in Wonderland than the whole Encyclopedia Britannica.
Stephen LeacockPersonally, I would sooner have written Alice in Wonderland than the whole Encyclopedia Britannica.
Stephen LeacockThere is an old motto that runs, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." This is nonsense. It ought to read, "If at first you don't succeed, quit, quit at once."
Stephen LeacockGolf may be played on Sunday, not being a game within the view of the law, but being a form of moral effort.
Stephen LeacockMost people can tire of a lecture in fifteen minutes, clever people can do it in five, and sensible people don't go to lectures at all.
Stephen Leacock