History is only the pattern of silken slippers descending the stairs to the thunder of hobnailed boots climbing upward from below.

Martin in particular concluded that man was born to live either in the convulsions of misery, or in the lethargy of boredom.

There are men who can think no deeper than a fact.

Go get yourself crucified and then rise on the third day.

The biggest reward for a thing well done is to have done it.

Before receiving your instruction, I must tell you what happened to me one day. I had just had a closet built at the end of my garden. I heard a mole arguing with a cockchafer; 'Here's a fine structure,' said the mole, 'it must have been a very powerful mole who did this work.' 'You're joking,' said the cockchafer; 'it's a cockchafer full of genius who is the architect of this building.' From that moment I resolved never to argue.

I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.