When I was young I was amazed at Plutarch's statement that the elder Cato began at the age of eighty to learn Greek. I am amazed no longer. Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long.

Beauty

The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them.

Common Sense

Common sense and nature will do a lot to make the pilgrimage of life not too difficult.

Critics and Criticism

People who ask for your criticism want only praise.

Evil

There is no explanation for evil. It must be looked upon as a necessary part of the order of the universe. To ignore it is childish, to bewail it senseless.

Fame

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.

Freedom

There are two good things in life -- freedom of thought and freedom of action.

Habit

The unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones.

Mothers

Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequences than to have a really affectionate mother.

People

I've always been interested in people, but I've never liked them.

Perfection

Perfection is what American women expect to find in their husbands... but English women only hope to find in their butlers.

Quotations

The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit.

Speech

What has influenced my life more than any other single thing has been my stammer. Had I not stammered I would probably... have gone to Cambridge as my brothers did, perhaps have become a don and every now and then published a dreary book about French literature.

Tradition

Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.

Writers and Writing

The trouble with young writers is that they are all in their sixties.