Others

You know who the critics are? The men who have failed in literature and art.

With words we govern men.

There is no Frigate like a Book

The word Papa, besides, gives a pretty form to the lips. Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes, and prism, are all very good words for the lips: especially prunes and prism.

When found, make a note of.

For it is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.

Il n’y a pas de hors-texte.

There is first the literature of knowledge, and secondly, the literature of power. review of the Works of Pope (1847 ed.) in North British Review August 1848, vol. 9

Murder considered as one of the fine arts.

Slowly, silently, now the moon

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.

Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.

Art is vice. You don’t marry it legitimately, you rape it.

the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls

Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;

Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.

Philologists, who chase

Just say the lines and don’t trip over the furniture.

Television is for appearing on, not looking at.

Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.

Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington,

Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art, as of life.

My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel—it is, before all, to make you see. That—and no more, and it is everything.

Music has charms to sooth a savage breast.