Loving-kindness is the better part of goodness. It lends grace to the sterner qualities of which this consists.

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.

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

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that too.

The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.

The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you.

It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved.

The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.

A head full of stars, just not in constellation yet.

Talent is nurtured in solitude character is formed in the stormy billows of the world.

I don't think that work ever really destroyed anybody. I think that lack of work destroys them a hell of a lot more.

My conservatory is in the streets. My intelligence is instinct.

I'll never fall in love again... it's like having two souls at the same time.

That's all about the natural order of things, the idea of nature protecting children but also children protecting nature.

Humor is important in everything. Dress with a little humor and you can go a long way.

I usually say what I really think. A great mistake nowadays. It makes one so liable to be misunderstood.

If you have total freedom, then you are in trouble. It's much better when you have some obligation, some discipline, some rules. When you have no rules, then you start to build your own rules.

We live from day to day and get as much joy out of experiencing as we can.