Poetry

epub:type="ordinal z3998:roman">LXXXII

When lost in a forest go always down hill. When lost in a philosophy or doctrine go upward.

LXXXIII

We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect.

LXXXIV

Pascal says that an inch added to the length of Cleopatra’s nose would have changed the fortunes of the world. But having said this, he has said nothing, for all the forces of nature and all the power of dynasties could not have added an inch to the length of Cleopatra’s nose.

LXXXV

Our luxuries are always masquerading as necessaries. Woman is the only necessary having the boldness and address to compel recognition as a luxury.

LXXXVI

“I am the seat of the affections,” said the heart.

“Thank you,” said the judgment, “you save my face.”

LXXXVII

“Who art thou that weepest?”

“Man.”

“Nay, thou art Egotism. I am the Scheme of the Universe. Study me and learn that nothing matters.”

“Then how does it matter that I weep?”

LXXXVIII

A slight is less easily forgiven than an injury, because it implies something of contempt, indifference, an overlooking of our importance; whereas an injury presupposes some degree of consideration. “The blackguards!” said a traveler whom Sicilian brigands had released without ransom; “did they think me a person of no consequence?”

LXXXIX

The people’s plaudits are unheard in hell.

XC

Generosity to a fallen foe is a virtue that takes no chances.

XCI

If there was a world before this we must all have died impenitent.

XCII

We are what we laugh at. The stupid person is a poor joke, the clever, a good one.

XCIII

If every man who resents being called a rogue resented being one this would be a world of wrath.

XCIV

Force and charm are important elements of character, but it counts for little to be stronger than honey and sweeter than a lion.

XCV

Grief and discomfiture are coals that cool:
Why keep them glowing with thy sighs, poor fool?

XCVI

A popular author is one who writes what the people think. Genius invites them to think something else.

XCVII

The sky is a concave mirror in which Man sees his own distorted image and seeks to propitiate it.

XCVIII

Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land, but do not hope that the life insurance companies will offer thee special rates.

XCIX

Persons who are horrified by what they believe to be Darwin’s theory of the descent of Man from the Ape may find comfort in the hope of his return.

C

A strong mind is more easily impressed than a weak: you shall not so readily convince a fool that you are a philosopher as a philosopher that you are a fool.

CI

A cheap and easy cynicism rails at everything. The master of the art accomplishes the formidable task of discrimination.

CII

When publicly censured our first instinct is to make everybody a codefendant.

CIII

O lady fine, fear not to lead
To Hymen’s shrine a clown:
Love cannot level up, indeed,
But he can level down.

CIV

Men are polygamous by nature and monogamous for opportunity. It is a faithful man who is willing to be watched by a half-dozen wives.

CV

The virtues chose Modesty to be their queen.

“I did not know that I was a virtue,” she said. “Why did you not choose Innocence?”

“Because of her ignorance,” they replied. “She knows nothing but that she is a virtue.”

CVI

It is a wise “man’s man” who knows what it is that he despises in a “ladies’ man.”

CVII

If the vices of women worshiped their creators men would boast of the adoration they inspire.

CVIII

The only distinction that democracies reward is a high degree of conformity.

CIX

Slang is the speech of him who robs the literary garbage carts on their way to the dumps.

CX

A woman died who had passed her life in affirming the superiority of her sex.

“At last,” she said, “I shall have rest and honors.”

“Enter,” said Saint Peter; “thou shalt wash the faces of the dear little cherubim.”

CXI

To woman a general truth has neither value nor interest unless she can make a particular application of it. And we say that women are not practical!

CXII

The ignorant know not the depth of their ignorance, but the learned know the shallowness of their learning.

CXIII

He who relates his success in charming woman’s heart may be assured of his failure to charm man’s ear.

CXIV

What poignant memories the shadows bring;
What songs of triumph in the dawning ring!
By night a coward and by day a king.

CXV

When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.

CXVI

As the physiognomist takes his own face as the highest type and standard, so the critic’s theories are imposed by his own limitations.

CXVII

“Heaven lies about us in our infancy,” and our neighbors take up the tale as we mature.

CXVIII

“My laws,” she said, “are of myself a part:
I read them by examining my heart.”
“True,” he replied; “like those to Moses known,
Thine also are engraven upon stone.”

CXIX

Love is a distracted attention: from contemplation of one’s self one turns to consider one’s dream.

CXX

“Halt!⁠—who goes there?”

“Death.”

“Advance, Death, and give the countersign.”

“How needless! I care not to enter thy camp to-night. Thou shalt enter mine.”

“What! I a deserter?”

“Nay, a great soldier. Thou shalt overcome all the enemies of