Sarcasm I now see to be, in general, the language of the Devil; for which reason I have, long since, as good as renounced it. – Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, Book II, chapter 4
Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance. – Francois de La Rochefoucauld