Judith Martin

Parents should conduct their arguments in quiet, respectful tones, but in a foreign language. You'd be surprised what an inducement that is to the education of children.

Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what they did was to force immorality to be discreet. This is no small contribution.

You do not have to do everything disagreeable that you have a right to do.

All true language is incomprehensible, like the chatter of a beggar's teeth.

If you have a block of ballistics gelatin and a high-speed camera, pretty soon somebody gets a gun!

James Bond is quite serious about his drinks and clothing and cigarettes and food and all that sort of thing. There is nothing wry or amused about James Bond.