To excite opposition and inflame malevolence is the unhappy privilege of courage made arrogant by consciousness of strength.

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.

Education is the preparation of a child intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically for life and for eternity.

Success is not a luxury. It's a must. Succeed or die

Beside every great writer is a great listener.

The best models in the industry are the ones who feel comfortable on the set. If she doesn't feel comfortable, the images won't be beautiful.

I had a mother who was very developed psychically and spiritually. She was, in a way, an opposite of my father, a complete liberal, interested in woman's liberation before it was the fashion.

I don't want words that other people have invented. All the words are other people's inventions. I want my own stuff, my own rhythm, and vowels and consonants too, matching the rhythm and all my own.

Do as the beautiful woman: see to your figure and your petticoats. Though, of course, I am not speaking literally.

The Beatles tried to do some tours and found it to be completely pointless and became a non-touring band after that, and with very good reason.

I write a lot about the past because I really see things clearly in hindsight.

My upbringing did not create a healthy affection for confrontation. I'd love it if everyone always got along, and nothing ever got tense.