“A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.”

“As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.”

“The nation is divided, half patriots and half traitors, and no man can tell which from which.”

“Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.”

“It ain't no use to try to learn you nothing, Huck.”

“I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English―it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them―then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.”

“Each man's preference is the only standard for him, the only one which he can accept, the only one which can command him.”