The triumphal-procession-air which, in our manners and customs, is given to marriage at the outset - that singing of Te Deum before the battle has begun.

Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement.

The only thing that makes one place more attractive to me than another is the quantity of heart I find in it.

In spite of the honestest efforts to annihilate my I-ity, or merge it in what the world doubtless considers my better half, I still find myself a self-subsisting and alas! self-seeking me.

Instead of boiling up individuals into the species, I would draw a chalk circle round every individuality, and preach to it to keep within that, and preserve and cultivate its identity.

When one has been threatened with a great injustice, one accepts a smaller as a favour.

the less one does, as I long ago observed, the less one can find time to do.

I am not at all the sort of person you and I took me for.

The glittering baits of titles and honours are only for children and fools.

If they had said that the sun or the moon had gone out of the heavens, it could not have struck me with the idea of a more awful and dreary blank in creation than the words: Byron is dead!

People who are so dreadfully "devoted" to their wives are so apt, from mere habit, to get devoted to other people's wives as well.

It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.

Those who criticize our generation forget who raised it.

I don't suffer from a mental illness, I live with it.

Periodic fasts are necessary to flush out the poisons.

Laughing, if loud, ends with a deep sigh; and all pleasures have a sting in the tail, though they carry beauty in the face.

If I try to write a song, I will completely fail to write a song. But if I'm just holding my guitar and I just start humming, then I'll have a song in an hour.

Republicans spent too much money, borrowed too much money, earmarked too much. In this race, I'm the only guy who hasn't spent time in Washington.

I grew up very much an athlete and very much a swimmer and a dancer and a horse rider and surf lifesaving club, you name it I've probably done it. I just find so much gratification in being physical.

I love making music and I'm falling in love with making records, so it's like having two girlfriends. But I can handle it.

I've got my Grammys on top of my piano and I look at them when I play.