A most paradoxical mixture of sound and silence pervades the shady parts of the wood. The noise from the insects is so loud…; yet within the recesses of the forest a universal silence appears to reign. Charles Darwin (1809-82)

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

He that hath a satirical vein, as he maketh others afraid of his wit, so he had need be afraid of others’ memory. Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

There are only two styles of portrait painting, the serious and the smirk. Charles Dickens (1812-70)

It will be acknowledged even by those that practice it not, that clear and round dealing is the honor of man’s nature, and that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the […]

The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall. Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

To live was then in itself a delight, because living implied seeing. Edwin Abbott (1838-1926)

The connection between dress and war is not far to seek: your finest clothes are those you wear as soldiers. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

There is no explanation for evil. It must be looked upon as a necessary part of the order of the universe. To ignore it is childish, to bewail it senseless. William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

The beauty of the world…has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older—the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning. Jane Austen (1775-1817)

It is a maxim among these lawyers that whatever has been done before, may legally be done again: and therefore they take special care to record all the decisions formerly made against common justice, and the general reason of mankind. […]

There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions. Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of. Jane Austen (1775-1817)