The American ideal, after all, is that everyone should be as much alike as possible.

Happiness does not consist in self-love.

Joseph Butler

Taste is the fundamental quality which sums up all the other qualities. It is the nec plus ultra of the intelligence. Through this alone is genius the supreme health and balance of all the faculties.

Isidore Ducasse Lautreamont

Throughout my life, I have seen narrow-shouldered men, without a single exception, committing innumerable stupid acts, brutalizing their fellows and perverting souls by all means. They call the motive for their actions fame.

Isidore Ducasse Lautreamont

The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.

William Blake

Map out your future - but do it in pencil. The road ahead is as long as you make it. Make it worth the trip.

Jon Bon Jovi

Let me smile with the wise, and feed with the rich.

Samuel Johnson

In spite of overwhelming evidence, it is most difficult for a citizen of western Europe to bring thoroughly home to himself the truth that the civilisation which surrounds him is a rare exception in the history of the world.

Henry James Sumner Maine

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate.

Thornton Wilder, The Skin of Our

I did toy with the idea of doing a cook-book. The recipes were to be the routine ones: how to make dry toast, instant coffee, hearts of lettuce and brownies. But as an added attraction, at no extra charge, my idea was to put a fried egg on the cover. I think a lot of people who hate literature but love fried eggs would buy it if the price was right.

Groucho Marx

Becoming an author changes your attitude too. Once you see where books come from, and how they're made, they never seem quite as sacred again.

Lev Grossman

Desire! That's the one secret of every man's career. Not education. Not being born with hidden talents. Desire.

Bobby Unser

Let them eat cake.

Marie Antoinette