“Anything to vary this detestable monotony.”

“Detestation of the high is the involuntary homage of the low.”

“Anything for a quiet life; as the man said when he took the situation at the lighthouse.”

“I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything”

“To surround anything, however monstrous or ridiculous, with an air of mystery, is to invest it with a secret charm, and power of attraction which to the crowd is irresistible.”

“I will not say that everything was utterly commonplace, becuase I doubt if anything can be that, except to utterly commonplace people - and there my vanity steps in...”

“Never," said my aunt, "be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you.”