I would sooner read a time-table or a catalogue than nothing at all. They are much more entertaining than half the novels that are written.
Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it.
The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.
A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident.
You know, of course, that the Tasmanians, who never committed adultery, are now extinct.
Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the other five.
Anyone can tell the truth, but only very few of us can make epigrams.
It wasn’t until late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say, ‘I don’t know.’
Life isn’t long enough for love and art.
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
It is salutary to train oneself to be no more affected by censure than by praise.
It’s very hard to be a gentleman and a writer.
The writer of prose can only step aside when the poet passes.
An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones.
Marriage is a very good thing, but I think it’s a mistake to make a habit out of it.
Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.
Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.
I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than a humorous resignation.
If you don’t change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?