“A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a social group cooperates.”

“I find that socialism is often misunderstood by its least intelligent supporters and opponents to mean simply unrestrained indulgence of our natural propensity to heave bricks at respectable persons.”

“England and America are two countries separated by the same language.”

“In literature the ambition of the novice is to acquire the literary language; the struggle of the adept is to get rid of it.”

“A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most.”

“Do not waste your time on Social Questions. What is the matter with the poor is Poverty what is the matter with the rich is Uselessness.”

“The very names we use to describe ancient ideas or vanished forms of social organization would be quite meaningless if we had not known living men.”