The author always loads his dice, but he must never let the reader see that he has done so.

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.

One does not really feel much grief at other people's sorrows; one tries, and puts on a melancholy face, thinking oneself brutal for not caring more; but one cannot and it is better, for if one grieved too deeply at other people's tears, life would be unendurable; and every man has sufficient sorrows of his own without taking to heart his neighbour's.

No egoism is so insufferable as that of the Christian with regard to his soul.

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary-it's just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.

Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it.