“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.”

“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected."(Frauds on the Fairies, 1853)”

“I want you to understand how people see you, and how your actions matter...You must learn that your place in the world is important. You've been given the power to affect people, just as we all have, and it's important -- no, vital -- that you do the right thing with it.”

“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

“The most important thing in life is style. That is the style of one s existence the characteristic mode of one s actions is basically ultimately what matters. For if man defines himself by doing then style is doubly definitive because style describes the doing. The point is this happiness is a learned condition. And since it is learned and self generating it does not depend upon external circumstances for its perpetuation. This throws a very ironic light on content. And underscores the primacy of style. It is content or rather the consciousness of content that fills the void. But the mere presence of content is not enough. It is style that gives content the capacity to absorb us to move us it is style that makes us care.”

“The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.”