In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers.

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.

Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.

Dream tonight of peacock tails, Diamond fields and spouter whales. Ills are many, blessing few, But dreams tonight will shelter you.

Toil is man's allotment; toil of brain, or toil of hands, or a grief that's more than either, the grief and sin of idleness.

Meditation and water are wedded for ever.

I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

Aye, aye! and I'll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition's flames before I give him up.

War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.

School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need the society as it is.

He hadn't "abused" alcohol, but had spent almost four years sitting in a chair drinking jug wine around the clock and looking, variously, at the wall, the window blind, and the TV screen.

The praises of others may be of use in teaching us, not what we are, but what we ought to be.

Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship.

What happens to the rest of something when you smash its heart?

I was afraid of being judged too harshly. But I'd let those fears overwhelm me for far too long.

Democracy is not an instant coffee.

I really wanted to do things that weren't comic. It felt like finding people who can see this other side to me.

It is an impertinent and unreasonable fault in conversation for one man to take up all the discourse.

Every change is being forced upon us.