We Americans worship the almighty dollar! Well, it is a worthier god than Heredity Privilege.

There isn’t a single human characteristic that can be safely labeled as “American.”

There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn’t because the book is not there and worth being written—it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself.

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man’s, I mean.

To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.

His money is twice tainted: ’taint yours and ’taint mine.

Every man is born to one possession which outvalues all his others—his last breath.

We all have thoughts that would shame the devil.

There is nothing training cannot do. Nothing is above its reach. It can turn bad morals to good; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to angelship.

[Humanity] has unquestionably one really effective weapon?laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution?these can lift at a colossal humbug?push it a little?weaken it a little, century by century; but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.