Most people are such fools that it is really no great compliment to say that someone is above the average.

We find things beautiful because we recognize them and contrariwise we find things beautiful because their novelty surprises us.

When some incident has shattered the career you’ve mapped out for yourself, a folly, a crime or a misfortune, you mustn’t think you’re down and out. It may be a stroke of luck, and when you look back years later you may say to yourself that you wouldn’t for anything in the world exchange the new life disaster has forced upon you for the dull, humdrum existence you would have led if circumstances hadn’t intervened.

Nothing more predisposes someone in our favour than to let him rob you a little.

The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.

Success. I don't believe it has any effect on me. For one thing I always expected it.

It is one of the defects of my character that I cannot altogether dislike anyone who makes me laugh.