Shakespeare knew the human mind, and its most minute and intimate workings, and he never introduces a word, or a thought, in vain or out of place; if we do not understand him, it is our own fault.

Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and worthiest portion of our knowledge consists of aphorisms: and the greatest and best of men is but an aphorism.

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.

There is one art of which people should be masters - the art of reflection.

Humor is consistent with pathos, whilst wit is not.

A great mind must be androgynous.

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea.

That gracious thing, made up of tears and light.

The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly Father.

Religion is the most gentlemanly thing in the world. It alone will gentilize, if unmixed with cant.

Poor little Foal of an oppressed race! I love the languid patience of thy face.

Truth itself is the best prudence.

Genius is only great patience.

It's the sort of subject that always interests me: jealousy and the language of suspicion and guilt. I think it interests people.

I ne'er was struck before that hour with love so sudden and so sweet. Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower and stole my heart away complete

I'd much rather win in three or four sets than go the distance all the time. I seem to put everyone through the wringer quite a bit.

I love teaching. It's a job that lasts forever. Whatever you teach children today travels with them far into the future.

I think that I'm allowing girls to be really free with their sexuality.

If you have fairy blood, even in the tiniest degree, you must live close to Fairy Land, and eat a little fairy food, or else you will always be hungry.

There's nothing in the recent past I want to write about.

Band-Aids don't fix bullet holes. You say sorry just for show. You live like that, you live with ghosts.