Dowered with great historic names which they almost despise, they do their best to drag the memory of their ancient lineage into dishonour by vulgar passions, low tastes, and a scorn as well as lack of true intelligence. Let us not talk of them. The English aristocracy was once a magnificent tree, but its broad boughs are fallen, – lopped off and turned into saleable timber, – and there is but a decaying stump of it left.

Few authors feel sufficiently themselves to make others ″feel.

I am not so sure about that,” he returned. “No one is contented in this world, I believe. There is always something left to desire, and the last thing longed for always seems the most necessary to happiness.” “The truest philosophy,” said Heliobas, “is not to long for anything in particular, but to accept everything as it comes, and find out the reason of its coming.

Fame, or notoriety, whichever that special noise may be called when the world like a hound ‘gives tongue’ and announces that the quarry in some form of genius is at bay, is apt to increase its clamor in proportion to the aloofness of the pursued animal...

Well I am glad I have something of the fool in my disposition – foolishness being the only quality that makes wisdom possible.

There was something else, – something quite undefinable, that gave a singular glow and radiance to the whole countenance, and suggested the burning of a light through alabaster, – a creeping of some subtle fire through the veins which made the fair body seem the mere reflection of some greater fairness within.

Listen to the silence of the earth while the lark sings! Have you ever observed the receptive attitude in which Nature seems to wait for sounds divine!

But a man gifted with original thoughts and the power of expressing them, appears to be regarded by everyone in authority as much worse than the worst criminal, and all the ‘jacks-in-office’ unite to kick him to death if they can.

The hypocrisy and social sham of the world, and that I have mastered the following hard truths of life – that there is no love without lust – no friendship without self-interest – no religion without avarice – and no so-called virtue without its accompanying stronger vice. Who, knowing these things, would care to take part in them!

And indeed she did not. I thought she had a tired, dragged appearance, but I would not say so. I knew her well, and I was perfectly aware that though she was fascinating and elegant in every way, her life was too much engrossed in trifles ever to yield her healthy satisfaction.