If you pretend to be good, the world takes you very seriously. If you pretend to be bad, it doesn't. Such is the astounding stupidity of optimism.

Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is one's self.

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.

It is through Art, and through Art only, that we can realise our perfection.

A great poet, a really great poet, is the most unpoetical of all creatures. But inferior poets are absolutely fascinating.

Every prison that men build Is built with bricks of shame, And bound with bars lest Christ should see How men their brothers maim.

I know not whether Laws be right, Or whether Laws be wrong; All that we know who lie in gaol Is that the wall is strong; And that each day is like a year, A year whose days are long.

The vilest deeds like poison weeds Bloom well in prison-air: It is only what is good in Man That wastes and withers there: Pale Anguish keeps the heavy gate, And the warder is Despair.

One can survive everything nowadays, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation.

Good resolutions are useless attempts to interfere with scientific laws.