Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. Martin Chuzzlewit

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Autobiography

Nothing in the world is harder than speaking the truth and nothing easier than flattery. If there’s the hundredth part of a false note in speaking the truth, it leads to a discord, and that leads to trouble. But if all, to the last note, is false in flattery, it is just as agreeable, and is heard not without satisfaction. It may be a coarse satisfaction, but still a satisfaction. And however coarse the flattery, at least half will be sure to seem true. That’s so for all stages of development and classes of society. Crime And Punishment

“If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.” Uncle Vanya