If Art does not enlarge men’s sympathies, it does nothing morally.

We learn words by rote, but not their meaning; that must be paid for with our life-blood, and printed in the subtle fibres of our nerves.

Mrs. Bulstrode's naïve way of conciliating piety and worldliness, the nothingness of this life and desirability of cut glass, the consciousness at once of filthy rags and the best damask...

It is for art to present images of a lovelier order than the actual, gently winning the affections, and so determining the taste.

All choice of words is slang. It marks a class.” “There is correct English: that is not slang.” “I beg your pardon: correct English is the slang of prigs who write history and essays. And the strongest slang of all is the slang of poets.

In all private quarrels the duller nature is triumphant by reason of dullness.

Falsehood is easy, truth so difficult.

People who can't be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.

The beginning of compunction is the beginning of a new life.