The worst of having so much tact was that you never quite knew whether other people were acting naturally or being tactful too. [The human element]

People who ask for your criticism want only praise.

As the cosmos are in place, so be it with your life.

I do not believe they are right who say that the defects of famous men should be ignored. I think it is better that we should know them. Then, though we are conscious of having faults as glaring as theirs, we can believe that that is no hindrance to our achieving also something of their virtues.

There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.

I do not confer praise or blame: I accept. I am the measure of all things. I am the center of the world.

A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident.