A quibble is to Shakespeare what luminous vapours are to the traveller: he follows it at all adventures; it is sure to lead him out of his way and sure to engulf him in the mire.

Cucumber should be well sliced, dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out.

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world.

A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a bad marksman who, instead of aiming a single stone at an object, takes up a handful and throws at it in hopes he may hit.

There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense is a pleasure, but because obligation is a pain.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts.

Some Christian leaders . . . are willing to give up some of the teachings of the Bible in order to harmonize Christianity with the other religions.

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.

I'm not cool enough to hang out with any rock stars. Jay-Z doesn't come over to my house. I don't hang out with Ted Nugent.

Hope sinks a world of imagination.

Some venues are more intimidating than others, but as professional players you enjoy the intimidating places more than the other kind.

Learn your instrument. Be honest. Don't do anything phony. There is so much crap floating around. There is plenty of room for a bit of honest writing.

I've heard it for years, if you're very successful you can't run for high office, especially for President.

A true collaboration is trickier than a marriage because you can't hide.

We need the church as urgently as a starving baby needs his mother’s milk.

We have already provided a strong humanitarian response to the problems in the Middle East and that response will be stronger within coming days.