Children, after being limbs of Satan in traditional theology and mystically illuminated angels in the minds of educational reformers, have reverted to being little devils—not theological demons inspired by the Evil One, but scientific Freudian abominations inspired by the Unconscious.

It is impossible to read in America, except on a train, because of the telephone. Everyone has a telephone, and it rings all day and most of the night.

Right conduct can never, except by some rare accident, be prompted by ignorance or hindered by knowledge.

Human nature is so constructed that it gives affection most readily to those who seem least to demand it.

A life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying, but a life in which adventure is allowed to take whatever form it will is sure to be short.

What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out, which is its exact opposite.

No nation was ever so virtuous as each believes itself, and none was ever so wicked as each believes the other.

The wise man thinks about his troubles only when there is some purpose in doing so; at other times he thinks about other things.

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.

It is a waste of energy to be angry with a man who behaves badly, just as it is to be angry with a car that won't go.