He had the appeal of a very young dog of a very large breed -- a kind of amiable absurdity.

(One character on another:)

"Don't you know that I passionately dote on every chin on his face?

He was being about as protective as a can-opener.

Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced old woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force.

[On marriage and permanent attachment:]

Well, well -- the prizes all go to the women who 'play their cards well' -- but if they can only be won in that way, I would rather lose the game ... [C]lever [women] bide their time -- make themselves indispensable first, and then se font prier [=play hard to get]. Clever -- but I can't do it.

Wherever you find a great man, you will find a great mother or a great wife standing behind him -- or so they used to say. It would be interesting to know how many great women have had great fathers and husbands behind them.