"Art is not imitation but illusion."

“First, think in as homely a way as you can; next, shove your pen under the thought, and lift it by polysyllables to the true level of fiction”

“Well, every one for himself, and Providence for us all--as the elephant said when he danced among the chickens.”

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”

“Courage, mon ami, le diable est mort! / Take courage, my friend, the devil is dead!”

“Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”

“The fortunate man is he who, born poor, or nobody, works gradually up to wealth and consideration, and, having got them, dies before he finds they were not worth so much trouble.”