“For time flows on, and if it did not, it would be a bad prospect for those who do not sit at golden tables.”

A theater without beer is just a museum

When the house of a great one collapses Many little ones are slain.

Terrible is the temptation to be good.

Would it not be simpler If the Government dissolved the people and elected another?

All artforms are in the service of the greatest of all arts: the art of living.

Poverty makes you sad as well as wise.

We often do not know ourselves the grounds On which we act, though plain to others.

People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.

The finest plans are always ruined by the littleness of those who ought to carry them out, for emperor himself can actually be nothing.

There are some with brains and some without. It makes for a better division of labour.

Their peace and their war Are like wind and storm. War grows from their peace.

I’m in good form, taking no interest in things, neglecting clothes, meals, company, and feeling calm and stable as I write.

The human race tends to remember the abuses to which it has been subjected rather than the endearments. What’s left of kisses? Wounds, however, leave scars.

Those who take the most from the table, teach contentment. Those for whom the taxes are destined, demand sacrifice. Those who eat their fill, speak to the hungry, of wonderful times to come. Those who lead the country into the abyss, call ruling difficult, for ordinary folk.

From the cradle to the coffin underwear comes first.

A man who sees another man on the street corner with only a stump for an arm will be so shocked the first time he’ll give him sixpence. But the second time it’ll only be a three penny bit. And if he sees him a third time, he’ll have him cold-bloodedly handed over to the police.