“It is a vulgar error to suppose that America was ever discovered. It was merely detected.”

“Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered. I myself would say that it had merely been detected.”

“America had often been discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up.”

“If it was my business, I wouldn't talk about it. It is very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stockbroker's do that, and then merely at dinner parties.”

“America has never quite forgiven Europe for having been discovered somewhat earlier in history than itself.”

“In America the president reigns for 4 years, and journalism governs for ever and ever.”

“To be good, according to the vulgar standard of goodness, is obviously quite easy. It merely requires a certain amount of sordid terror, a certain lack of imaginative thought, and a certain low passion for middle-class respectability.”