“A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.”

Now India is a place beyond all others where one must not take things too seriously—the midday sun always excepted.

If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.

We are the opening verse of the opening page of the chapter of endless possibilities.

Oh East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.

No printed word, nor spoken plea can teach young minds what they should be. Not all the books on all the shelves – but what the teachers are themselves.

Not getting what you want either means you don’t want it enough, or you have been dealing too long with the price you have to pay.

Nations have passed away and left no traces, And history gives the naked cause of it – One single simple reason in all cases; They fell because their peoples were not fit.

Literature is a splendid mistress, but a bad wife.

If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. The world will be yours and everything in it, what’s more, you’ll be a man, my son.

An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.

The world is very lovely, and it’s very horrible–and it doesn’t care about your life or mine or anything else.

Never praise a sister to a sister, in the hope of your compliments reaching the proper ears, and so preparing the way for you later on. Sisters are women first, and sisters afterwards; and you will find that you do yourself harm.

I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all i knew); Theirs names are What and Why and When And How And Where and Who.

At two o’clock in the morning, if you open your window and listen, You will hear the feet of the Wind that is going to call the sun. And the trees in the Shadow rustle and the trees in the moonlight glisten, And though it is deep, dark night, you feel that the night is done.

When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains, and the women come out to cut up what remains, jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains and go to your god like a soldier.

A brave heart and a courteous tongue. They shall carry thee far through the jungle, Manling.