Dean William R. Inge

How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive o all they do, and of all they are willing to endure.

— Dean William R. Inge

I think middle-age is the best time, if we can escape the fatty degeneration of the conscience which often sets in at about fifty.

— Dean William R. Inge

There are two kinds of fools: One says, This is old therefore it is good. The other one says, This is new therefore it is better.

— Dean William R. Inge

Consciousness is a phase of mental life which arises in connection with the formation of new habits. When habit is formed, consciousness only interferes to spoil our performance.

— Dean William R. Inge

There are no rewards or punishments -- only consequences.

— Dean William R. Inge

Every institution not only carries within it the seeds of its own dissolution, but prepares the way for its most hated rival.

— Dean William R. Inge

Let us remember, when we are inclined to be disheartened, that the private soldier is a poor judge of the fortunes of a great battle.

— Dean William R. Inge

Literature flourishes best when it is half trade and half an art.

— Dean William R. Inge

In dealing with Englishmen you can be sure of one thing only, that the logical solution will not be adopted.

— Dean William R. Inge

Public opinion, a vulgar, impertinent, anonymous tyrant who deliberately makes life unpleasant for anyone who is not content to the average person.

— Dean William R. Inge

It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.

— Dean William R. Inge

What is originality? Undetected plagiarism.

— Dean William R. Inge

To become a popular religion, it is only necessary for a superstition to enslave a philosophy.

— Dean William R. Inge

A man may build himself a throne of bayonets, but he can't sit on it.

— Dean William R. Inge

Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next.

— Dean William R. Inge

Worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due.

— Dean William R. Inge