I thought it was only in revealed religion that a mistranslation improved the sense.
What does democracy come down to? The persuasive power of slogans invented by wily self-seeking politicians.
Perhaps the most important use of money – It saves time. Life is so short, and there’s so much to do, one can’t afford to waste a minute; and just think how much you waste, for instance, in walking from place to place instead of going by bus and in going by bus instead of by taxi.
A mother only does her children harm if she makes them the only concern of her life.
There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort.
Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its freedom, and will ultimately lose its wealth as well.
No affectation of peculiarity can conceal a commonplace mind.
I have always been convinced that if a woman once made up her mind to marry a man, nothing but instant flight could save him.
If only the good were a little less heavy-footed.
I like manual labor. Whenever I’ve got waterlogged with study, I’ve taken a spell of it and found it spiritually invigorating.
There was an immeasurable distance between the quick and the dead: they did not seem to belong to the same species; and it was strange to think that but a little while before they had spoken and moved and eaten and laughed.
Beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger.
But the only important thing in a book is the meaning it has for you; it may have other and much more profound meanings for the critic, but at second-hand they can be of small service to you.
As if a woman ever loved a man for his virtue.
Charm and nothing but charm at last grows a little tiresome. It’s a relief then to deal with a man who isn’t quite so delightful but a little more sincere.
There is only one way to win hearts and that is to make oneself like unto those of whom one would be loved.
A man ought to work. That’s what he’s here for. That’s how he contributes to the welfare of the community.
No action is in itself good or bad, but only such according to convention.
It is bad enough to know the past; it would be intolerable to know the future.
The humour of Dostoievsky is the humour of a barloafer who ties a kettle to a dog’s tail.