The soldier's lot is the most melancholy relic of barbarism (next to capital punishment) that lingers on among mankind. - Alfred de Vigny

The press is a mouth forced to be forever open and forever talking. Consequently it says a thousand times that it has nothing to say.

The loveliest Muse in the world does not feed her owner; these girls make fine mistresses but terrible wives

I admit that I myself am far from having a complete command of every topic I touch on, but my knowledge of my subject is always greater than the interest or the understanding of my auditors. You see, there is one very good thing about mankind; the mediocre masses make very few demands of the mediocrities of a higher order, submitting stupidly and cheerfully to their guidance