Truly I was born to be an example of misfortune, and a target at which the arrows of adversary are aimed.

Pray, look better, sir... those things yonder are no giants, but windmills.

Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn.

In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.

He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all.

How will he who does not know how to govern himself know how to govern others?

Three things too much, and three too little are pernicious to man; to speak much, and know little; to spend much, and have little; to presume much, and be worth little.

That one man scorned and covered with scars Still strove with his last ounce of courage To reach the unreachable star.

Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.

The wicked are always ungrateful.

Her father guarded her, and she guarded herself; for there are no padlocks, bolts, or bars, that secure a maiden better than her own reserve.

When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.

The man of regular life and rational mind never despairs.

Humor has to surprise us; otherwise, it isn't funny. It's a death knell for a writer to be labeled a humorist because then it's not a surprise anymore.

There is a dreadful Hell, And everlasting pains; There sinners must with devils dwell In darkness, fire, and chains.

I have not the pleasure of understanding you.

Let us all reaffirm our commitment to improving the well- being of families throughout the world.

Don't count out Marian Wright Edelman, because there is talk that President Clinton may want to shock the nation by putting a real black on the Supreme Court.

Genius has no youth, but starts with the ripeness of age and old experience.

Love doesn't need to be discussed; it has its own voice and speaks for itself.

There are times when you simply have to pose your model. The difference is in the kind of posing. It can be honest and dishonest, interesting and as wooden as a cigar store Indian.