Students didn't much like those who verbally or physically beat the crap out of them. But when researchers began measuring aggression alongside perceived popularity, they found an undeniably strong link. Recent studies conclude that aggressive behaviors are now often associated with high social status. Psychologists no longer view aggression as a last-resort tactic of social misfits. Now they see aggression as a means toward social success. (This does not, however, mean it is admired.)

If the artist reflects only his own culture, then his works will die with that culture. But if his works reflect the eternal and universal, they will revive.

William McKinley was a man made to be managed.

That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfeast cereals based on color instead of taste.

His habit of reading isolated him: it became such a need that after being in company for some time he grew tired and restless; he was vain of the wider knowledge he had acquired from the perusal of so many books, his mind was alert, and he had not the skill to hide his contempt for his companions' stupidity. They complained that he was conceited; and, since he excelled only in matters which to them were unimportant, they asked satirically what he had to be conceited about. He was developing a sense of humour, and found that he had a knack of saying bitter things, which caught people on the raw; he said them because they amused him, hardly realising how much they hurt, and was much offended when he found that his victims regarded him with active dislike. The humiliations he suffered when he first went to school had caused in him a shrinking from his fellows which he could never entirely overcome; he remained shy and silent. But though he did everything to alienate the sympathy of other boys he longed with all his heart for the popularity which to some was so easily accorded. These from his distance he admired extravagantly; and though he was inclined to be more sarcastic with them than with others, though he made little jokes at their expense, he would have given anything to change places with them.

All books are divisible into two classes: the books of the hours, and the books of all Time.

The idea that we can be exactly what the other desires is a powerful fantasy.

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self., February 25, 1933]

A psychiatrist once told me early in treatment, "Stop trying to make me like you," and what a sobering and welcome smack in the face that statement was. Yet somehow, every day of my life is still a campaign for popularity, or better yet, a crowded funeral.

Nobody comes here anymore, its too crowded

The most popular persons in society are those who take the world as it is, find the least fault, and have [ride] no hobbies.

It is an unhappy lot which finds no enemies.

The more one pleases everybody, the less one pleases profoundly

What is popular is not necessarily vulgar; and that which we try to rescue from fatal obscurity had in general much better remain where it is.

A dish around which I see too many people doesn't tempt me.

There must be something good in a thing that pleases so many; even if it cannot be explained, it is certainly enjoyed.

When a man is familiar with many people he must expect many disagreeable familiarities.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!

The man with a host of friends who slaps on the back everybody he meets is regarded as the friend of nobody.

He that has many friends, has no friends.