It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved; they do not understand that what interests you is the way in which you have created the illusion. Anthony Trollope ceased to be read for thirty years because he confessed that he wrote at regular hours and took care to get the best price he could for his work.

It is good to be on your guard against an Englishman who speaks French perfectly; he is very likely to be a card-sharper or an attache in the diplomatic service.

It is not difficult to be unconventional in the eyes of the world when your unconventionality is but the convention of your set.

It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive.

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent W.

It is salutary to train oneself to be no more affected by censure than by praise. W.

It is well to remember that grammar is common speech formulated.

It must be that to govern a nation you need a specific talent and that this may very well exist without general ability.

It takes two to make a love affair and a man’s meat is too often a woman’s poison.

It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up. W.