In any case, rather like priests who have forgotten the meaning of the prayers they chant, we shall go on for quite a long time talking of books and writing books, pretending all the while not to notice that the church is empty and the parishioners have gone elsewhere to attend other gods, perhaps in silence or with new words.

The more money an American accumulates the less interesting he himself becomes.

that peculiarly American religion, President-worship.

At any given moment, public opinion is a chaos of superstition, misinformation, and prejudice.

He kicks against tradition and restrictions without realising that tradition made him, is his raison d'etre.

In America nothing dies easier than tradition.

The most dangerous phrase in the language is, 'We've always done it this way.'