Fools Errand
oak of experience
The truth, I discovered, is a tree that grows as a man gains access to experience. A child sees the acorn of his daily life, but a man looks back on the oak.
cutting pieces from truth
When you cut pieces from the truth to avoid sounding like a fool, you end up sounding like a moron.
cruelty is a skill
Cruelty is a skill taught not only by example, but by experience of it.