Levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.

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.

If you think you can't, you're wrong and right

In future, brainwave is a media of universal language.

I have not the smarts or patience for political office.

Nothing has happened too fast, nothing has happened too slow. It has been a mellow rise, and I'm thankful for that. I haven't lost my head, and I haven't lost my desire to keep growing.

When the President starts talking about something, it makes a difference.

Anything you put in a play -- any speech -- has got to do one of two things: either define character or push the action of the play along.

I haven't much opinion of words. They're apt to set fire to a dry tongue, that's what I say.

In Italy the artist is a god. Now if the artist is a god, the scientist is likewise a god.

The as if principle works. Act as if you were not afraid and you will become courageous, as if you could and you'll find you can. Act as if you like a person and you'll find a friendship.

The truth brings with it a great measure of absolution, always.