Edward Verrall Lucas

The French never allow a distinguished son of France to lack a statue.

There can be no defense like elaborate courtesy.

There are two words for everything.

I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much jollier than the people who have to wait for them.

Americans are people who prefer the Continent to their own country, but refuse to learn its languages.

The art of life is to show your hand. There is no diplomacy like candor. You may lose by it now and then, but it will be a loss well gained if you do. Nothing is so boring as having to keep up a deception.

People in hotels strike no roots. The French phrase for chronic hotel guests even says so; they are called dwellers sur la branche.

Human nature is rarely so amusing as when trying to get a house off its hands. Women at this task can be untruthful enough, but their untruth lacks the infusion of candor which a skillful male liar can introduce.