He lived alone, and, so to speak, outside of every social relation; and as he knew that in this world account must be taken of friction, and that friction retards, he never rubbed against anybody. ~ Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

“This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.” ~ The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There are moments when one has to choose between living one’s own life, fully, entirely, completely – or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. ~ Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde

“It saves trouble to be conventional, for you’re not always explaining things.” ~ Old Rose and Silver by Myrtle Reed

Few people can resist doing what is universally expected of them. This invisible pressure is more difficult to stand against than individual tyranny. ~ That Fortune by Charles Dudley Warner

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