So long as a man-of-war exists, it must ever remain a picture of much that is tyrannical and repelling in human nature.

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.

People rise to the occasion without hesitation when they feel inspired and challenged.

My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.

I have no fear of death. More important, I don't fear life.

The small part of ignorance that we arrange and classify we give the name of knowledge.

We can never have enough of that which we really do not want.

The idea that no gentleman ever swears is all wrong. He can swear and still be a gentleman if he does it in a nice and benevolent and affectionate way.

The property boom has made us all feel wealthy, but unfortunately it has lulled many of those nearing retirement into a false sense of security.

Love is a credulous thing.

No one can have all he desires.

I find it extremely difficult talking about my songs because there's so many different things that can make a song come together.