“Journalists are notoriously prone to exaggerate the beneficial impact of elections and to ignore more complex developments.”

“Republicans know well that a change of rhetorical pace is necessary. But efforts by their leaders to damp down the bellicosity of newly elected Tea Party types is running into the fact that the Tea Partiers have only the high volume setting on their amplifiers, just like Palin. They're like a couple having a fight at a funeral; politely sotto voce, then suddenly bursting out fortissimo with their plaints and accusations.”

“Everybody wants to see justice done, to somebody else.”

“Got to kick at the darkness 'till it bleeds daylight”

“All these years of thinking, ending up like this: In front of all this beauty, understanding nothing.”

“Though it had no wide reputation, all manner of people frequented 'The Midnight Bell.' This was in its nature, of course, since it is notorious that all manner of people frequent all manner of public-houses - which in this respect resemble railway stations and mad-houses.”

“Polysyllables obfuscate a preponderant ignorance with so much more style and panache.”