The book which most deserved to be banned would be a catalog of banned books.

The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.

One might call habit a moral friction: something that prevents the mind from gliding over things but connects it with them and makes it hard for it to free itself from them.

Erudition can produce foliage without bearing fruit.

There exists a species of transcendental ventriloquism by means of which men can be made to believe that something said on earth comes from Heaven.

Just as the performance of the vilest and most wicked deeds requires spirit and talent, so even the greatest demand a certain insensitivity which under other circumstances we would call stupidity.

If there were only turnips and potatoes in the world, someone would complain that plants grow the wrong way.

Many things about our bodies would not seem to us so filthy and obscene if we did not have the idea of nobility in our heads.

To read means to borrow; to create out of one s readings is paying off one's debts.

Once we know our weaknesses they cease to do us any harm.

He who understands the wise is wise already.

You govern people, you do good and bad things.If you don't have guts to do bad, then step aside.

Habits are hard to let go, especially if they are human beings.

Put aside the need to know some future design and simply leave your life open to what is needed of it by the Divine forces.

I am certain that the safest way to defend your character is never to say a word about it.

All you needed was a couple of instruments and a few chords and you could be on an indie label.

But I'm a humorist. I'm not a reporter, I never pretended to be a reporter.

Though neglectful of their responsibility to protect science, scientists are increasingly aware of their responsibility to society.

A good artist should be isolated. If he isn't isolated, something is wrong.

I do not have a helmet. But this is a wig, so it's a little protective.

Spinach and champagne. Going back to the kitchens at the old Waldorf. Dancing on the kitchen tables, wearing the chef's headgear. Finally, a crash and being escorted out by the house detectives.