They spell it Vinci and pronounce it Vinchy; foreigners always spell better than they pronounce.

Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run.

Hain’t we got all the fools in town on our side? and ain’t that a big enough majority in any town?

There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth.

All kings is mostly rapscallions.

I never write metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city . I never write policeman because I can get the same money for cop .

Crass stupidities shall not be played upon the reader … by either the author or the people in the tale. The personages of a tale shall confine themselves to possibilities and let miracles alone; or, if they venture a miracle, the author must so plausibly set it forth as to make it look possible and reasonable. The author shall make the reader feel a deep interest in the personages of his tale and in their fate.

Write without pay until somebody offers pay; if nobody offers within three years, sawing wood is what you were intended for.

When you catch an adjective, kill it.

Be careless in your dress if you must, but keep a tidy soul.