Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.

Filth is always a sign of weakness - in the mouth of the user and in the mind of the writer.

Self-discipline without talent can often achieve astounding results, whereas talent without self-discipline inevitably dooms itself to failure.

Many a secret that cannot be pried out by curiosity can be drawn out by indifference.

Those who imagine that the world is against them have generally conspired to make it true.

Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.