Books and marriage go ill together. If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be well-night useless, since their chief purpose is to make us bear with patience the injustice of our fellows. A lover tries to stand in well with the pet dog of the house. It is a public scandal that offends; to sin in secret is no sin at all. Don't appear so scholarly, pray. Humanize your talk, and speak to be understood. Assassination's the fastest way. He's a wonderful talker, who has the art of telling you nothing in a great harangue. Although I am a pious man, I am not the less a man. I am addressing myself--I am addressing myself to my cap. All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing. | 
