All professions can yield a man enough to live on,—except professions of faith.
When attending the performance of some modern operas, it has struck me that the conductor was only beating time because he could not beat the composer.
If in the sight of the law all men are equal, Heaven save us from getting into its sight.
When you want to get rid of a dog, you take off his collar;—when the king wants to get rid of a minister, he gives him the collar—of the Order of the Annunziata.
The place where they ruin people’s voices, and throw aside all the canons of art, is called the Conservatoire; and a hospital full of sick people is called a “house of health” (Casa di Salute).
Among the many motives which induce me to stay away from the theatre is the utter absence of all motive in modern operas.
How many old phrases are required to make a new electoral programme!
All musical notes may express cheerful ideas; it is only the notes of creditors which arouse none but melancholy reflections.
I entered the shop of a pork-butcher at the moment when his son, aged eight, was returning from school. The poor boy was weeping bitterly.
“The old story!” exclaimed his parent; “I suppose you did not learn your lessons, and the master called you an ass, as you deserved!”